Vallamkali (Boat Races)

Come August and the South Indian state of Kerala bustles with festivities. Rural Kerala ignites in a passion so unique that its serene backwaters come alive by the splashing oars of the numerous boat races (vallamkali) that signify the onset of the harvest festival.
In fact, boats of the state are known after their shapes and purpose, such as the churulan vallam (race boat) - the two ends of this boat are shaped like a circular ring; kettu vallam (house boat) - once used for transportation of goods, it has now become one of the most exciting tourism product; iruttukuthy - its sleek design avoids friction with water and ensures fast journeys; and the vaipu vallam - with one end higher than the other, it is used mostly to transport passengers.
The most enchanting of all is the chundan vallam - the long boat shaped like a snake - made famous by the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race, believed to be the largest team sport in the world.
It is a matter of pride and prestige and the cherished ambition of all boat clubs in the state to win the prestigious Nehru Trophy. The event is also promoted as a major tourist attraction, as it draws in a large number of travellers to the state.
Along with the increasing number of global tourists visiting Kerala during the festive season each year, more international participants are taking part in the boat races too. Last month, a 10-member Dubai team flew to Kerala to participate in the Nehru Trophy Boat Race.
The credit for the success of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race is attributable to Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India. Delighted by the team event held on the Punnamada backwaters of Alappuzha district in 1952, he instituted a trophy. The race came to be known as the 'Nehru Trophy Boat Race', annually conducted on the second Saturday of August.
The most remarkable feature of the snake boat race is its team spirit. It signifies the importance of unity, as a single mistake by even one oarsman can result in an imbalance and the overturning of the boat. As they advance to the finish line in vigour, the chundans appear like fast-moving snakes.
"And as the 'vanchipattu' gets louder, so does the excitement among the thousands of spectators gathered... a fascinating sight," says Santosh Kurup from Kottayam.
Sekharan Nair, who's been in the emirate for 27 years, says, "Onam here is just like any other festival or celebration - beginning and ending with food. Most children here have not seen a pulikali or heard a vanchipattu."
Several other boat races also take place across the backwaters of the state during the season, such as ATDC Boat Race in Alappuzha, Kumarakom Boat Race, Karuvatta Boat Race, Kottapuram Boat Race, etc.
The Aranmula Boat Race is more of a water fiesta than a competition.
All these races receive tremendous support from all sections of society