Feature

BOAT RACES OF KERALA

Sudha S. Namboothiry

Clouded sky, gusty wind, pitter-patter rain rushing to meet the thirsty mother earth accompanied by the flashes of lightning and thunder- yes, the stage is set for monsoon boat races in Kerala. As every living being tries to find shelter to hide from the nature’s splash, the participants of the boat races armed with their ores invade the waters to sweat it out. The cloths worn by them become second skin dripping with a mixture of sweat and rain. It seems the Mother Nature witnessing the tireless practice of the racing crew encourages them with thunderclaps and wipes their sweat with rain. For the people of Kerala, Karkidakam (July-August) is natively called Panja Masom or the month of famine and dullness. But to the folks of Kuttanadu in Alleppey district, it is full of excitement. Every year on the second Saturday of August the most exciting regatta, the Nehru Cup Snakeboat Race, takes place. Though most of the people there find their homes half submerged during the season, their spirit is never dampened. Otherwise routine and uneventful, life in Kuttanadu area comes alive months before the event. Racing crews tirelessly practise fired by the competitive spirit that motivates them on the great say.

In the past Kerala had only two major boat races-the Aranmula Uthrittathi boat race and the Champakulam Moolam boat race. These two have traditional and religious background. A fete in Aranmula is conducted in connection with Aranmula temple and Champakulam boat race is in commemoration of the consecration of the deity at Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple. Despite their religious backgrounds, the fetes witness communal amity.

Kerala today witnesses a large number of boat races all across its rives and waters. The water carnival begins with the Champakulam Moolam boat race followed by big and small boat races conducted throughout the Onam festival season when people there are in high spirits to welcome their mythical king Mahabali who is universally loved by all Keralites. According to a legend, the king visits them once a year from the nether world. The backwaters which were often the battle ground of warring rulers of Kerala and the Chundan Valloms or the snake boats which were the battleships, now race to a different bugle.

The Nehru Trophy Boat Race held on the Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha (Alleppey) is a highly competitive event. The first race held in 1952 in honour of the then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s visit was an impromptu one. About 10 snake boats were present on that occasion. The winner was Nadubhagam Chundan. Nehru was so fascinated and excited that he jumped into the winning boat ignoring all security arrangements. On his return to Delhi he instituted a trophy for the winners of the boat race. In 1953 the boat race was not held. But afterwards it became a regular feature. Every year around 40 boats participate in the regatta. Though boats like Vepu, Iruttukuthi, Ody, Swan and Churulan also participate in the fete, the magnificent Chundan Valloms which are 60-65 meters in length are the star attraction with highly decorated sterns where the coxswains stand, leaning on their large steering cars, the pace-setters thumping staves and hundreds of men handling a single paddle oar on each side churning the still waters in fascinating rhythm and dip showering spray of water.

Every year the boat race is made more attractive with auxiliary events. This year, the 49th Nehru Trophy Boat Race will be held on August 11. Colourful cultural processions and programmes are being organised on the eve of the race. The best part of the boat race is an opportunity for women to show their mettle. There is a separate competition for them.

The boat races of Kerala display the valour of its people and their folk arts. The backwaters fringed with coconut palms are the venue; different types of boats- Irruuttikuthi, Veppu, Ody, Swan, Churulan and the majestic Chundan Valloms-display the craftsmanship of Kerala: the singers of boat songs "Vanchipattu" and the beats present the folk literature of Kerala and their unity . The performance of oarsmen mesmerizes everyone. The whole fete is an extravaganza of audio-visual arts.

Besides, the boat race teaches the essence of life. The oarsmen, coxswains and pacesetters are unified with one particular pace and they are in rhythm with nature. A single mistake by anyone can cause imbalance and the boat may overturn. Human beings can flourish so long as they exist in tune with nature. Modern civilization forgets this truth which the boat race silently reminds us.