Kerala ganangal (songs of Kerala) was written to inspire the natives in their freedom struggle against the British who ruled the nation for nearly 500 years, until India gained freedom in 1947.

This is a patriotic song on Kerala beginning with Vande matharam... (tribute to the motherland...) written by K.C. Kesava Pillai (1868 - 1913). Pillai was a renowned writer who made enormous contributions to Malayalam literature. A few of his works that need mention are - Kesaveeyam, Hiranyasuravadham, Rukmini Swayamvaram and Vrikasuravadham - a vanchippattu (oarsmen's song) etc