Before Los Angeles, there was Thrissur.
At the heart of Kerala, in southern India, Thrissur is known as the cultural capital of the state. It is a city and district of more than three million people, located between the Arabian Sea and the foothills of the Western Ghats. According to the Kerala government, the district has a literacy rate of 95.32 percent, one of the characteristics that helps explain the importance education has long held in the region.
Thrissur is also a city deeply shaped by culture. At its center stands the historic Vadakkunnathan Temple, around which the Thrissur Pooram is held every year, one of Kerala’s most important festivals. During the celebration, thousands of people fill the streets for processions featuring decorated elephants, traditional percussion orchestras, and elaborate displays of colorful umbrellas.
But Thrissur’s identity extends far beyond its festivals. The city is home to some of Kerala’s most important cultural institutions, including the Kerala Sahitya Akademi, the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi and Kerala Kalamandalam, one of India’s best-known institutions for the study of traditional performing arts such as Kathakali.
Thrissur is also an important commercial and educational center. The district has a long tradition of academic achievement, with schools and colleges serving communities across the region. Government data also shows high levels of female literacy. In the 2011 census, female literacy in the district stood at 93.56 percent.
That context helps provide a glimpse into the society where Nithya Raman was born. For girls growing up in Thrissur, life exists at the intersection of deeply rooted religious and family traditions, a strong emphasis on education, and a society where women have achieved relatively high levels of literacy and participation in professional life. That does not mean every girl experiences Thrissur in the same way, but education for women has clearly become an important part of Kerala’s social identity.
It was in that environment that Raman was born.
According to accounts she has given and profiles published by Indian media, Raman was born in Thrissur in 1981 and moved with her family to the United States when she was six years old. Years later, she returned to India, where she worked in Chennai and founded Transparent Chennai, an initiative that used data and mapping to help low-income communities gain access to public services.
Her path would eventually bring her back to the United States and, ultimately, into Los Angeles politics. Raman was elected in 2020 to represent Los Angeles City Council District 4 and was reelected in 2024.
Now, the story of that girl born in Thrissur has reached another important chapter.
Raman is running for mayor of Los Angeles in the November 3, 2026 election, facing incumbent Mayor Karen Bass. According to The Associated Press, if Raman is elected, she would become the first South Asian woman to serve as mayor of Los Angeles.
That potential milestone carries a particular resonance when viewed from Thrissur.
The city where she was born lies thousands of miles from Los Angeles. It is a city in Kerala where deeply rooted cultural traditions coexist with a strong emphasis on education and a society that has experienced significant changes in opportunities for women.
That is where Nithya Raman’s story began.
More than four decades later, that story could take a woman born in a city in southern India to the leadership of one of America’s most important cities.
Thrissur at a Glance
Thrissur is a city in Kerala, southern India, and is known as the cultural capital of the state. The district has about 3.1 million residents and one of the highest literacy rates in India.
The city is famous for the Thrissur Pooram, a spectacular festival featuring decorated elephants, traditional percussion, colorful umbrellas, and fireworks. Pulikali, the traditional “tiger dance,” is another local tradition.
Kerala cuisine is central to daily life, with rice, coconut, seafood and spices at the heart of many dishes. A traditional Sadya, served on a banana leaf, is one of the region’s best-known meals.
Thrissur is also an important center for education, commerce, and the gold and jewelry industry. The historic Vadakkunnathan Temple stands at the center of the city, while the wider district includes forests and the famous Athirappilly Waterfalls.
Five notable people associated with Thrissur are:
Kamala Das (Kamala Surayya) — Acclaimed poet, writer, and author.
T. Vasudevan Nair — Award-winning writer and screenwriter, one of Kerala’s most influential literary figures.
A. Yusuff Ali — Founder and chairman of Lulu Group International, a major international retail company.
Radhakrishnan — Former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Tovino Thomas — Prominent Malayalam film actor.
The Signature Plate
Kerala Sadya is a traditional vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf, bringing together rice, curries, vegetables, pickles, chutneys, and sweets. More than a meal, Sadya is a celebration of Kerala’s flavors and hospitality, traditionally served at festivals, weddings and other important occasions.
