Explanations:The question asks about the mother tongue of Kerala, which is a state located in the southwestern part of India. The mother tongue of a region refers to the language that is primarily spoken and used by the majority of the population in that area. In the context of Kerala, the mother tongue is Malayalam.
Malayalam is a Dravidian language, which is one of the major language families in India. It is spoken by approximately 38 million people, primarily in the state of Kerala and the union territory of Lakshadweep. Malayalam has a rich literary tradition and is known for its unique script, which is derived from the ancient Brahmi script. The language has a complex system of grantha script for writing Sanskrit loanwords and proper nouns.
It is important to distinguish between the mother tongue and the official language of a state. While Malayalam is both the mother tongue and the official language of Kerala, this is not always the case for other states. For example, in some states, the official language might be different from the mother tongue of the majority of the population.
The other options provided in the question are languages spoken in neighboring states. Tamil is the official language of Tamil Nadu, Telugu is the official language of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and Kannada is the official language of Karnataka. These languages are not the mother tongue of the majority of people in Kerala, which is why they are incorrect options.
Understanding the linguistic landscape of India is crucial for comprehending the cultural and social dynamics of the country. Each state in India has its own unique language and cultural heritage, and knowing the mother tongue of a particular state helps in appreciating the diversity of the region.