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Snake Boat race

Of

Kerala

By

Tamarapu Sampath Kumaran


About the Author

Mr T Sampath Kumaran is a freelance writer. He regularly


contributes articles on Management, Business, Ancient Temples, and Temple
Architecture to many leading Dailies and Magazines.
His articles are popular in “The Young World section” of THE HINDU. His e-
books on nature, environment and different cultures of people around the world are
educative and of special interest to the young.
He was associated in the production of two Documentary films on Nava Tirupathi
Temples, and Tirukkurungudi Temple in Tamilnadu.

Acknowledgement:
I wish to express my gratitude to the authors from whose works I gathered the
details for this book, Courtesy, Google for the photographs.
Located at the Southwestern tip of India, Kerala has several shores like Kovalam,
Kappad, Varkala and a few lakes. There exists a rich number of flora and fauna
which is represented by the spectacular wildlife and bird sanctuaries. Kerala is
much known as a backwater state. India is the home for numerous tourist
destinations which attract many tourists annually to go to the country. The visitors
make it to be a point to look at the wonderful Kerala not merely for the magical
beaches but also for thrill and adventure. The vessel festivals held throughout the
year attracts many lovers towards it. Snake Boat Race in Kerala thrills the guests
and they’re convinced to take part in the amazing event. The game relies on the
contestant’s speed and enjoyment with what type rows the snake boats useful for
races. An event of good enjoyment that is an expression of a vivid people is in boat
race.

Snake boat races are major watersports of Kerala. Boat racing is not just a sport but
a traditional festivity, unique to the religious being of Kerala India. Though more
or less religious in origin, the Kerala boat races used to be held as part of
competition or settlement between two rival communities in the bygone eras. Boat
racing being organized during temple festivals throughout the year and are held on
Kerala backwaters.

Vallam Kali (vallam kali, literally: boat game) is a traditional boat race in Kerala. It
is a form of canoe racing and uses paddled war canoes. It is mainly conducted
during the season of the harvest festival – Onam in autumn. Vallam kali includes
races of many kinds of paddled longboats, the traditional boats of Kerala. The race
of Chundan vallam ('snake boat') is the major event. Hence Vallam Kali is also
known as the snake boat race and is a major tourist attraction.

In Kerala, during an early 13th-century war between the feudal kingdoms


of Kayamkulam and Chaembakassery, was frequent. King Devanayana of
Chembakassery commissioned the construction of a war boat named Chundan
Vallam and he tasked a famous carpenter of the day with the responsibility of
creating it. Hence, the technical methods for creating these snake boats are around
650 years old. The Parthasarathy Chundan is the oldest model of the snake boats
still in use today.
Vallam kali also includes

races of many other kinds of traditional paddled longboats of Kerala and is one of
the major tourist attractions in the state.

Vanchipattu (lit. 'boat song') is the form of poetry in Malayalam language


commonly used during vallam kali and related festivals. During Arunmula
Uttarattadi Vallamkali, the vanchipattu is performed by the participants for its
significance in the rituals. Ramapurathu Warrier is the pioneer of the vanchipattu.

Kerala snake boat races are perhaps the most vigorous, prestigious and
community-oriented water sports that one can find in India. The sheer energy of
the oarsmen, the loud cheering of the onlookers and tension in the air; the sound of
oars cutting through water and the symphony-like rhythm of oarsmen rowing in
tandem. One must be there to truly experience the magic and watching a snake
boat race is a must-do when visiting Kerala.

One of the boat race festivals in Kerala, the Nehru Trophy Boat Race is a visual
extravaganza on the backwaters of Punnamada in Alappuzha district. This boat
racing in Kerala is a rowing competition between several groups of oarsmen for the
Nehru Trophy. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race owes its origin to a visit by Pandit
Jawahar Lal Nehru, the First Prime Minister of India, when a snake boat race was
held to welcome him. He was so enthralled by the event and the gusto of the
participants that he announced the Nehru Trophy to award the winning team. Since
then, this Kerala boat race has been an annual event. The trophy is a silver replica
of a snake boat.

The shape of boats with a raised end at the back is like the hood of a cobra and
hence termed as the snake boat race.

Unique to the way the

Champakulam boat race festival is celebrated to commemorate the age-old event of


bringing a new idol of Lord Krishan from Karikulam Temple in Kurichi to a
temple at Ambalappuzha by boat, at the behest of King Devanarayana of
Chempakasseri. Dedicated to Lord Krishna and his devotee Arjuna, Vallamkali is
characterized by embellishment of boats with ornamental umbrellas and flags.

Payippad Jalotsavam is not just the best snake boat race in Kerala but also an
attraction of Kerala tourism in South India. A grand festivity for three
days, Payippad Jalotsavam is held on the Payippad Lake at 35km away from
Allappuzha, in honor of the presiding deity of the Subramanya Swamy Temple.

According to the folklore, the inhabitants of Haripad Village had dreamt that an
idol of Swamy Subrahmanya was lying on the bed of the Kayamlulam River before
the temple was constructed. The idol was surprisingly found there and brought in a
boat to where the present temple is located today. This Kerala boat race is annually
held to commemorate the event in the month of September.

There are many types of boat races performed out every year in Kerala and
everyone has its own story of a whole lot of mythical tales and
mythology attached. Uniquely designed snake boats pave their paths around the
lagoons in a most rhythmic fashion

Snake boats normally are wooden boats made of typical, sturdy wood known as
'Aanjili' which withstands long exposure to the water. Boats are narrow and tapper
towards the ends for easy mobility, and their length varies from 120 to 140 feet.
The race boats can carry 100 to 120 oarsmen, including singers and are controlled
by 4 helmsmen and the oarsman at the tip of the boat.

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