Kerala is a state.
Kerala ( [ ˈkɛrələ ] ) historically known as Keralam , is an Indian state in South India on the Malabar Coast . Malayalam is the most widely spoken language and is also the official language of the state . After independence , Travancore and Cochin joined the Republic of India and Travancore-Cochin was given the status of a state in 1949 . The state 's coastline extends for 595 km , and around 1.1 million people in the state are dependent on the fishery industry which contributes 3 % to the state 's income .