ANGADIVELA–THATHAMANGALAM: HOW THE FESTIVAL SUSTAINS INTERSTATE CULTURAL NETWORKS BETWEEN KERALA AND TAMIL NADU

The Angadivela festival celebrated at Thathamangalam in Kerala represents one of the most significant cultural events fostering interstate cultural interaction between Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Rooted in centuries-old traditions, the festival functions as a vibrant platform where religious beliefs, folk traditions, artistic performances, trade activities, and social relationships converge. Every year, thousands of devotees, artists, traders, and tourists from both states participate in the festival, strengthening historical ties and promoting cultural continuity across regional boundaries. The festival facilitates the transmission of shared customs, language, folklore, rituals, and indigenous knowledge while contributing significantly to the local economy through tourism, commerce, and employment generation. Beyond its religious significance, Angadivela has emerged as an important instrument for preserving intangible cultural heritage, encouraging interstate cooperation, and fostering communal harmony. This study examines the role of the Angadivela festival in sustaining interstate cultural networks by analysing its socio-cultural, economic, and heritage dimensions. The study also evaluates the factors contributing to the preservation of the festival and suggests policy measures for promoting sustainable cultural tourism and heritage conservation.

Keywords

angadivela festival, interstate cultural networks, cultural heritage, kerala, tamil nadu, folk traditions, cultural tourism.

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To cite this article

Dhanyamol, S. (2026). Angadivela–Thathamangalam: How the Festival Sustains Interstate Cultural Networks Between Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Sparkling International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Studies, 9(2), 1-10.