“Unity is strength” is a universal principle that all of us have heard of and written essays on. This saying can’t be better deciphered than by looking at 100-125 oarsmen, who row in unison to the fast rhythm of Vanchipattu (song of the boatman), slicing their Chundan Vallam (snake boat) across the waves of Vembanad Lake; in short, Vallamkali (Boat Race).
The Nehru Trophy Boat Race, which is held on the Punnamda Lake near Alappuzha on the second Saturday of August every year, is the most competitive and popular of the boat races. On the day of this fiercely fought boat race, the tranquil lake front becomes an ocean of humanity. For the people of each village in Kuttanad, Vallamkali is not just a sport, but a splendid display of their culture and togetherness.
The history of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race is associated with the visit of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India, to Alappuzha. During his trip from Kottayam to Alappuzha across water-logged Kuttanad, a pageantry of Chundan Vallams accompanied him. Thrilled and excited by the performance of the oarsmen, Nehru donated a Silver Trophy, which is a replica of a snake boat placed on a wooden abacus, inscribed – “To the winners of the boat race which is a unique feature of community life in Travancore Cochin.”
Vallamkali is not only the world’s largest team sport but also an adrenaline-pumping, high-octave spectacle, with singers urging on the rowers, and cheering spectators. What makes it special is that the participating boats are no modern marvels, but magnificent traditional crafts called Chundan Vallam .
The 100-120 feet long canoes made of a forest wood locally called “Aanjili thadi” carrying rowers and moving like a snake through the lake is an electrifying sight for any onlooker. The Chundan Vallam has the record of “the biggest water vessel used for sports purpose”. Sleek and immaculately poised, the snake boats are the pride of every village.
From a distance, the galvanising beats of Chenda and Kathakali performances instill an impending combat-like scenario in the mind.
One end of the boat suggests a snake’s flared hood, which is why it’s called a ‘Snake Boat’. It takes more than a year to design and prepare a snake boat. Hard labour, patience and meticulous work are put into crafting these boats.
