The ports of Kerala have played a very vital role in shaping its history. Perhaps, no other port has played so crucial a role in Kerala and Indian history as the port of 'Muziris' or ‘Cranganore', as it was known in the ancient period, or Cochin or Kochi, as it is known today. Kochi has brought to the shores of Kerala many travellers and traders, saints and savants, sailors and seekers of fortune. It eventually became the gateway for the European conquerors of India. At our Online Talk #QueenOfTheArabianSea, Kochi chronicler Johann Kuruvilla takes a look at what made the port get its epithet, and recounts its maritime tradition from the days of King Solomon and beyond.

About the speaker

Johann Kuruvilla is the Founder and Chief Storyteller at The Kochi Heritage Project, a storytelling initiative. He has been documenting Kochi's diverse heritage on digital media, and actively researches and curates sensory immersive heritage experiences to deepen and broaden the understanding of the history, art, architecture, culture, cuisine and the people of Kochi. In addition to storytelling, he is an avid traveller and has been active in the travel industry in various roles over the past few years, after leaving a corporate career.