Malabar region Malabar region Malabar region refers to the historic and geographic area of southwest India, covering the state of Kerala along with Kanyakumari district, Tulu Nadu and Kodagu district It lies between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. The word Malabar is derived from the Malayalam word ""mala-baram"". "Mala" in Malayalam means "hill". "Varam" means "slope" or "side of a hill". The "Malabar Coast", in historical contexts, refers to India's southwest coast, lying on the narrow coastal plain of Karnataka and Kerala states between the Western Ghats range and the Arabian Sea. The coast runs from south of Goa to
North Malabar in a methodical way in tune with folksongs. It is played according to Vaithari or Thalam by the Gurukkal (Teacher). The typical Kolkali group will contain between sixteen and twenty members. One among them will sing the folksong and it will be chorused by rest. Harmonizing with generational changes, Kolkali like all other folk-art of North Malabar, has also changed its look and style over time. The noted Kolkali groups are found in the Kasaragod District. Mappila folklore has deep roots in the region. The major Mappila arts of North Malabar are : After Malappuram, almost all the well known