Kerala’s different DNA

By John Cheeran
Kerala has a different DNA compared to the other states in the Indian Union.
Kerala’s playing bone is truly different.
It does feel the lack of heroes and that is quite evident now with the spread of World Cup fever virus. There is only one World Cup and it is the football World Cup.
Central and Northern Kerala have put up huge banners and billboards on street corners, at their clubs and homes, supporting defending champions Brazil and former winners Argentina.
Brazil and Argentina do not need Indian supporters but unofficial fans associations have sprung up in Kerala for these two national teams.
And you may note that at the same time there are no takers for Rahul Dravid and company with their ship sinking in the West Indies.
Maradona and Pele are bigger and truer heroes to the raw youth in Malappuram, Trichur and Kozhikode. Dravid and Sehwag, they are far, far away.
The only thing that is common with Kerala and Latin America is football.
It is also crucial to remember that it is not sheer love of football that pulsates in these places. It is a romance, it is a fellow feeling for two nations that are still on the margins of the First World.
Though they can admire the gutsy approach of an England, Holland and Germany on the football field, they do not and cannot worship them.
Love is only for Brazil, love is only for Argentina.
No wonder two writers who have captured the imagination of Malayalis in recent times are Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Paulo Coelho.