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(Water Carnivals in Kerala)
Onam, the harvest festival of Kerala is the season of water festivals at south Kerala's back waters. The Vallamkali (boat race), held mainly in some places in the erstwhile Travancore state. A Brief summary of this aquatic spectacle.
A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS ONAM GREETINGS TO ALL.
ONAM AND WATER FESTIVALS IN KERALA
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| A Boat Race in Progress. pic. credit. Google images |
Associated
with Onam, the harvest festival of Kerala is the season of water
festivals at south Kerala's back waters, in kuttanad. The Vallamkali
(boat race), held mainly in some places in the erstwhile Travancore
state (Southern part of Kerala), from July to September, are spectacular
pageants. These carnivals are unique and are deep rooted in the
region's history and culture. Vallamkali is best seen at Alappuzha
Nehrue Trophy Boat Race, Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple Boat Race,
Neerettupuram Boat Race, Thiruvalla Pamba River Boat Race, Champakulam
Boat Race, Karuvatta Boat Race, Mannar Boat Race, Payippadu and Kottayam
Boat Races.
About
a hundred oarsmen row huge and graceful Odee (boats), Oars dip and
flash to the rhythm of drums and cymbals in each boat. The songs are
typical in character and concern people in Malabar.
Over
each boat gleam scarlet silk umbrellas: their number denotes the
affluence of the family owning the boat. Gold coins and tassels hang
from these umbrellas.
The
low-lying Kuttanad, also known as the rice bowl of Kerala, where the
carnivals are held annually, was once contemporaneously under three
local chieftains, whose naval fleets used to be their only means of
communication and defense. Display of fleets, consisting of different
types of boats noted for their enthusiasm and maneuverability was a
historical necessity in the days of yore. This display took place in
connection with temple festivals.
 |
| Another view of Boat Race pic. credit. Wikiepedia |
Boats
(Vallam) were the only means of travel for people living in hundreds of
islets in Kuttanad and, it is but natural that their grandest
celebration is one involving boats. The boats no longer play the role of
fighters; they now display their tremendous for load and speed. Once
they were designed to travel fast and carry soldiers. The largest of
such boats is the 'snake boats or "Chundan Vallom". It was designed, for
the first time, in the 16th century for the king of Chempakasseri to
fight the neighboring Kayamkulam King. Narayanan Achari of Koduppunna
had designed these boats. The enemy king, who suffered at the hands of
Chempakasseri, later found that the snake boats helped his opponents. He
promptly got a similar one designed by some master builder. The
difference in his boats was that every time a soldier fired from them,
they moved backward. Such was the craftsmanship of the makers of the
boat. In ancient form the snake boat is similar to the Norwegian boats
designed in the ninth century.
Kerala Backwaters Boat Races, Few YouTube Videos...
Since
the naval fleets were relegated to history, villages in Kuttanad took
pride in organizing festivals and competitions of snake boats. In 1952,
when the Prime Minister, late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru visited Kerala, he
traveled from Allepey to Kottayam by boat. A race was arranged in the
backwaters-of Punnamada Lake near Alappuzha for him. Nehru got so
excited while witnessing the event; he jumped into a boat to join the
rowers. When he reached Delhi he presented a trophy, modeled as a snake
boat (Chundan Vallam), to the winner of the competition. Thereafter it
is known as "Nehru Trophy Boat Race" and it became more popular Vallam
Kali in these seasons.
1. Nehru Trophy Boat Race- A YouTube Video - Part - I
| Nehru Trophy Boat Race Part I Credit. www.keralatourism.org |
These
boat races have won international acclaim and recognition within the
country too. Men from all religion and sects participate in these races.
Each boat, nearly 30 meters long, is occupied by100 people. The Nehru
Trophy race attracts people from all over the world. The largest numbers
of entries are for snake boat races which, with their beak-like bows,
high flared sterns, glided conical lip and high (4 mtr) tails,
accommodate four who steer.
Only
big businesspeople can own a snake boat, which, 16 yrs back, costed
around Rs. One Lac. It takes at least six months for a master builder to
construct the boat. The entire process with an Anjili tree for the
keel, and hard cast iron rivets for holding the hull, is done on eye
estimate and the technique is handed down from one generation to another
by word of mouth. The sides of the boat are smeared with sardine oil;
the first launching is done ceremoniously. All the men of the community
push the boat into water. The paddlers move quickly into position and
then set the speed of the boat, keeping perfect time. The steerers are
spaced evenly along the centre of the boat. They paddled to the
accompaniment of whistles, drums and other sounds. There are a large
number of songs in Malayalam, language and the steerers often row in
time to these. That branch of Malayalam literature is called
"Vanchipaatt" or Boat Song.
2. Nehru Trophy Boat Race- A YouTube Video - Part - II
| Nehru Trophy Boat Race Part II A video by Keralatourism. www.keralatourism.org |
Snake
boats are the main attraction of the races at Alleppey but there are a
variety of other boats, all of which attain considerable speed "Churulan
Vallam" (spiraled boats) are household boats named after the soirals
carved on their bows and sterns; "Parunthuvallans" are eagle-tailed, "
Veppu Vallam" are vessels used in the armadas of kings. The other
variety is called 'Kochu Vallam' means small boats, which can only
accommodate one or two persons.
Among
the races connected with temples, the earliest one is at Champakulam.
It is believed to have begun during the 7th century. The procession of
boats starts from the Christina family of Mappillasseri kadavu at
Champakulam a few kilometers away from Alleppey. The legend revolves
round the robbery of a Krishna idol, which was to be installed at the
Ambalapuzha temple. It is said that, in the early morning, the idol
stolen from Karikkulam temple in Chempakasseri kingdom, reached
Champakulam, from where it was joyously carried to Ammbalapuzha for
consecration at the scheduled time. It is to commemorate this event that
the Champakulam races are held annually in July.
3. Nehru Trophy Boat Race- A YouTube Video - Part - III
Nehru Trophy Boat Race Part II
A video by Keralatourism. www.keralatourism.org |
The
Parthasarathy temple at Aranmula is ancient and noted for its murals
and architecture. The temple is believed to be one among the five Shri
Krishna temples built by the Pandavas. At Aranmula there was a custom of
carrying articles from the neighboring Namboothiri household for the
Onam feast to be held at the temple. The special boat called
"Thiruvonathoni" (the holy Onam boat) used to be accompanied by a large
number of boats belonging to the Parthasarathy temple. This race was
later held on the birthday of the Arnamula deity on the next day of the
Onam festival. It is also the last race to be held during the season.
Colorful umbrellas are an added attraction of the pageantry here.
"Kuttanaadan Punchayile Kochupenne kuyilaali"
A Traditional Boat Race Song Sung by the Rowers
| Kuttanaadan Punchayile…This traditional boat song. |
Barring
the Nehru trophy race at Alleppy other races which are still more
colorful and traditional are little known to the outside world. They are
'Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkali' at Aranmula in Pathanamthitta
District, Champakulam Moolam Boat Race, in Alleppuzha District,
Payippadu Jalotsavam-one of the oldest boat races in Allappuzha,
Kumarakam Boat Race near Kottayam, and Indira Gandhi Boat Race at
Ernakulam District.
There
are a large number of songs in Malayalam, language and the steersmen
often row in time to these. That branch of Malayalam literature is
called "Vanchipaatt" or Boat Song. Among them the above given video song
is the most famous one. Watch the video and enjoy the song. A
transliterated portion of the song is given below:
Kuttanaadan Punjayile.. Transliterate version of the song
Kuttanadan Punjayile
Thai Thai Thaka Thai Thai Thom
Kochu Penne Kuyilale
Thithatha Thithai Thai
Kottu Venam Kuzhal Venam
Kurava Venam
O Thithithara Thithithai
Thithai Thithai Thaka Thai
Varavelkanaalu Venam
Kodi Thoranangal Venam
Vijayashreelaalitharai
Varunnu Njangal
O Thithithara Thithithai
Thithai Thithai Thaka Thai
Karutha Chiraku Vachu
Thai Thai Thaka Thai Thai Thom
Arayanna Kili Pole
Thithatha Thithai Thai
Kuthichu Kuthichu Paayum
Kuthira Pole
O Thithithara Thithithai
Thithai Thithai Thaka Thai
Tholviyenthennariyaatha
Thala Thazhthanariyaatha
Kaavalam Chundanitha
Jayichu Vannoo
O Thithithara Thithithai
Thithai Thithai Thaka Thai
Kuttanadan Punjayile
Kochu Penne Kuyilale
Kottu Venam Kuzhal Venam
Kurava Venam
O Thithithara Thithithai
Thithai Thithai Thaka Thai
Pambayile Ponnolangal
Thai Thai Thaka Thai Thai Thom
Odi Vannu Punarunnu
Thithatha Thithai Thai
Thanka Veyil Nettiyinmel
Pottu Kuthunnoo
O Thithithara Thithithai
Thithai Thithai Thaka Thai
Thengolakal Ponnolakal
Madi Madi Vilikkunnu
Thennal Vannu Venchamaram
Veeshitharaunnoo
O Thithithara Thithithai
Thithai Thithai Thaka Thai
Kuttanadan Punjayile
Kochu Penne Kuyilale
Kottu Venam Kuzhal Venam
Kurava Venam
O Thithithara Thithithai
Thithai Thithai Thaka Thai
Chambakkulam Pallikkoru
Thai Thai Thaka Thai Thai Thom
Vallam Kali Perunnaalu
Thithatha Thithai Thai
Ambalappuzhayiloru
Kuthu Vilakku
O Thithithara Thithithai
Thithai Thithai Thaka Thai
Karumadikkuttaninnu
Panineer Kavadiyattam
Kavilammakkinnu Rathri
Garudan Thookkam
O Thithithara Thithithai
Thithai Thithai Thaka Thai
Kuttanadan Punjayile
Kochu Penne Kuyilale
Kottu Venam Kuzhal Venam
Kurava Venam
O Thithithara Thithithai
Thithai Thithai Thaka Thai
Varavelkanalu Venam
Kodi Thoranangal Venam
Vijayashree Laalitharai
Varunnu Njangal
O Thithithara Thithithai
Thithai Thithai Thaka Thai
Thithithara Thithithai
The
tourist potential of these boat races is yet to be exploited. Tourism
departments is taking much effort to promote this it in international
level. More are more tourists are attracted towards Kerala in these
months of July to September.
There
is no doubt that these boat races are unique in the world. It is high
time that plans are drafted to exploit the tourist potential inherent in
their cultural practices.
Source:
History of Kerala, Kerala charitham
Pic credit. Bijin Studio, Ranny,
YouTube video credit.
Vanchippattu credit:
littleevilproYouTube
Comments
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Narayana Rao
Added in the collection - Festivals
http://knol.google.c
Regards
Best regards,
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Narayana Rao
Included the knol in Interesting knols subdirectory on India
I missed this comment, sorry for the delay in replying, Thanks for the mention
Best
Philip
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Benjamin R
Wha!!
This write-up took be back to my childhood days I spent at Kumara area with my grand parents. You left many things untouched; hope another write up can touch many other subjects you left out. All the best my dear writer. Ben
I missed your comment,
Happy to note that you liked it,
Yes, sure this knol needs some revision,
Thanks for the suggestion too
Best
Philip
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