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Kuttanad
is one of the key destinations on the Indian tourism map which is in a
jubilant mood as its festival season has started. Right from now, it is the
season of small and big country boat races, which is better known as
water
festival. It would touch its peak with the Nehru Trophy Boat Race,
scheduled in the coming month of August. Now, giving holiday to personal pains,
people of Kuttanad are involving themselves with the water festivals. The end of
the season is in October.
The history of the boat race started many centuries ago. The time of birth of
these boat races has not been specifically marked. However, majority of
historians favour it was started before King Marthanda Varma,
who played
a significant role in the history of Kerala. He is known as the founder of
modern Travancore Kingdom, which consisted places falling between Kochi up till
Kanyakumari. Before the time of Marthanda Varma, southern Kerala was divided
into four provincial countries. |
They were Thekkumkoor, Vadakkumkoor, Kayamkulam
and Chembakasserry. Each Provincial country had its own Navy. It was known as
‘Vallappada’ (Naval Army). The main
recruitment method to the Naval Army was the rowing competition.
The rowers who proved their vigor, strength and ability were
recruited to the Navy. Also, the Kings had allowed people to conduct such
country festivals. The passage of time brought significant changes and a new
form came in. It has now attained an international status. The history of these current boat races has started from beyond at least two
centuries onwards. Among old boat races and still existing are Champakkulam
Moolam boat race, Payippad Chathayam boat race and Aranmula Uthrittathi Boat
race. All these are related to the famous temples in Kerala. Champakkulam is
related to the Ambalappuzha Sreekrishna Swami Temple. The relation of Payippad
festival is with the Harippad Subrahmaniya
Temple and Uthrittathi boat race is related to
the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. All events begin with the Champakkulam
Moolam boat race every year.
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The other old
prominent water festivals in Kerala are Kumarakom Chathayam boat race started
in 1952 and the Neerettupuram Thiruvonam boat race started in 1957.
Boats participating in the races are categorized as Chundan (Dragon), Veppu,
Oodi and Churulan. Chundan is the main attraction of all boat races. The
length of a Chundan boat is 38.25mtr. It can contain 110 rowers, 10 oars
men, 9 additional rowers and one singer. The Veppu
is a small size boat and made in the form of Chundan. During the ancient
times when war broke out, the Veppu boats were escorted by the Chundan boats.
The purpose of Veppu boats was to provide cooks to make food for Navy men. It
can carry more than thirty people at a time. The Veppu is a Malayalam term for
cooking used in the English language. The front and back of the Oddy boats are
alike. It was used during the Royal regime when Kings traveled by backwaters.
Similarly, the front and back of Churulan boat are in a rolled model. It was
also an escort boat during the times of the royal administration. |
There are some rudimental measurements regarding the construction of boats,
especially Chundan (dragon). Some prominent carpenters had created some
measurements which were based on ancient manuscripts. Koduppunna Narayanan
Asari, Nedumudi Govindan Asari and Changamkari Pappu Asari were the chief
architects of Chundans.
Presently most measurements are accepted from the
theories made by these deceased experts. Vanchippattu refers to singing
during the time of boat race to stimulate rowers. Vanchippattu has a
remarkable place in the Malayalam history. Ramapurath Warrier was first among
creators of Vanchippatt (boat song).
Nehru
Trophy International Boat Race - Part 1
Contributed By:
C. Radhakrishnan
is an English Journalist and writes articles in National Dailies. He writes
articles on topics such as history, politics, business, environment and tourism
in Kerala.
chelangatt@yahoo.com
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