The United Arab Emirates’ substantial Malayali expatriate community is engaging in vigorous debate following India’s Union Cabinet approval to officially rename their home state from ‘Kerala’ to ‘Keralam’. This proposed constitutional amendment has sparked diverse reactions among the estimated one million Malayalis residing in the UAE, who constitute one of the largest expatriate groups in the country.
Proponents of the change view it as a significant cultural correction, drawing parallels to previous successful renaming initiatives such as Bombay becoming Mumbai and Madras transforming into Chennai. Sree Prakash Purayath, General Secretary of the Indian Association Sharjah, emphasized the linguistic importance of this transition, stating: ‘This represents a powerful act of linguistic and cultural affirmation. In Malayalam, our native language, the state has always been referred to as Keralam—the term Kerala is largely perceived as a colonial-era adaptation used in official documentation.’
The proposed name carries deep historical significance, potentially deriving either from ‘Cheram’ (connected to the ancient Chera dynasty) or from the combination of ‘Kera’ (coconut tree) and ‘Alam’ (land), collectively meaning ‘The Land of Coconut Trees’.
However, the community remains divided on the initiative. Nissar Thalangara, President of the Indian Association Sharjah, expressed reservations, noting that ‘Kerala has established international recognition, particularly in tourism, whereas Keralam remains predominantly local.’ He advocated for conducting a public referendum before implementing such a substantial change.
Practical concerns have emerged alongside cultural debates. Firoz Sainudeen, a Dubai-raised interior design professional, questioned the timing of the initiative, suggesting that governmental focus should prioritize pressing issues like youth unemployment and drug abuse rather than symbolic nomenclature changes.
The discussion has generated considerable humor within the diaspora, particularly following Congress parliamentarian Shashi Tharoor’s playful social media inquiry about whether residents should now be called ‘Keralamites,’ ‘Keralamians,’ or simply continue as ‘Malayalis.’
The constitutional process requires the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to secure parliamentary approval and presidential assent before implementation. Until then, the proposal continues to stimulate conversation across UAE community centers, labor camps, and digital forums, reflecting the complex intersection of cultural identity, historical preservation, and practical governance.