A coastal state, Kerala is deeply rooted in maritime history and activity. The region is home to vast, flowing channels that are inhabited by grand vessels, fishermen’s canoes and great Chinese fishnets. Surrounding these channels are numerous significant religious sites such as mosques, synagogues, and churches. Some of these have today been converted into museums, open for the general public to see and discover the many influences (e.g. trade with the Arabian Peninsula, Western colonialism) on past and present-day Kerala.

Fishery is important to Kerala, and the state alone is responsible for one fifth of India’s entire yield. This can certainly be smelt in some marine areas where men are seen with nets, rods, or simple lines, and particularly by the fish markets where they sell their catch.

Dhows are still constructed near the historic port city of Beypore. Artisans handcraft giant wooden ships using techniques that are centuries old. First they build scale models from memory, models that will be sent to clients across the Indian Ocean.