1952 December 27. Venue: Vembanad lake shore, Kuttanad, Alappuzha

Below Aryad Metro lamp, a temporary stage was made and decorated well. In the Vembanad lake, there were 8 tracks. On either shores, many boats were preparing for a race. A huge crowd was also present. Kuttanad people were eagerly waiting for someone so special. "Here....he comes!", people couldn't control their happiness seeing a person in paijama and kurtha, landing from the house boat 'Dorothi'. The chief guest was wearing Pathan shoes and Gandhi cap and very soon, he get into the open stage. 

"Panditjee ki jay......"

When thousands were receiving him in this manner, India's the then Prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru raised his hands to accept their welcome. The way by which the villagers of Kuttanad welcomed Nehru, was really a touching one. That day marked the beginning of a new boat race, which is followed till now even after 49 years. Boat race is known as Vallam kali in Malayalam and hence begin a new era of boat races to follow. Later, boat race of Vembanad lake began to known as Nehru Trophy Vallam Kali. Vembanad lake is the longest lake of India and Nehru Trophy is conducted in a part of Vembanad backwaters known as Punnamada lake of Kuttanad.

First boat race of world

Before proceeding forward, let me say a few words about the first boat race of the world. It was first conducted 5000 years ago in Athens. Countries like Rome, Greece, Babylonia used to celebrate new year by conducting boat races. When boat races traveled from Rome to Athens, it began to concentrate around Venice. Magic shown with the help of oars made it popular all over the world. Water clubs began to organize. Then, this art form got recognition from British Universities and public stalls. It was also introduced in Modern Olympics. Dragon race of Singapore, boat race conducted in Thailand, Snake boats of Norway and boat races of Minicoy are a few popular among them.

How boat race became popular in God's own country

Kerala is famous for its greenery and backwater resources. 44 rivers and numerous streams of Kerala have really helped this sport to become more popular among common man. Since boat races are normally related to festivals and since it's spring season, they are normally conducted during Onam season, normally in the Malayalam month Chingam. Vallamkali is an inevitable part of malayalis' cultural life and they can't even imagine an Onam festival celebrations without boat songs or races.It starts with Champakulam Moolam boat race, which is conducted on Moolam star day of Malayalam month Mithunam. Normally it comes after the middle half of June and before the commence of second half of July. It's related to Aranmula Parthasarathy temple festival celebrations and it's known as 'Pooram in water'.

The lengthiest boat race is conducted in Payippaatt. Aaranmula Uthrattathi vallamkali held on Uthrattathi star of Malayalam month Chingam is the oldest of all water festivals of Kerala. It's conducted in the holy Pampa river. It's related to Aaranmula temple and boat race is conducted in the anniversary day of the installation of Krishna idol in Aranmula temple by the Pandavas. An important event, 'Ashtami Rohini Vallasadya’, a feast given to oarsman on the birthday of Lord Krishna is also very famous. Kumarakom Chathayam boat race, also known as Sri Narayana boat race is conducted on the birthday of Sri Narayana Guru at Kumarakom, Kottayam. Chathayam day, Narayanu Guru's birthstar normally comes on fourth Onam in Chingam. Thus it forms a part of Onam celebrations. Neerettupuram boat race started in 1957 is also popular. Outside Kuttanad, most famous boat race is Kandassam Kadavu boat race. A few boat races started later like Indira Gandhi boat race of Eranakulam, Rajiv Gandhi boat race of Pulinkunnu, Mannar-Mahatma boat race, Karuvatta boat race etc have also helped in attracting tourists to Kerala during this festival season. 

Sing and dance while rowing

The unique attraction of boat festivals of Kerala are boat races and uniform rowing. Boats move in rhythm to singing and shouting of excitement. Along with it, traditional boat songs prompt everyone to dance in rhythm. Musical bits like 'Theyyom Theyyom', 'They They Thaka They Theyyom', 'Thithithara Thithithai Thithai Thaka They They Thom', have become quite popular and it brings the soil smell of interior parts of Kuttanadu.

While oarsmen are rowing, a group of people standing in rows inside the boat sing boat songs in tune and rhythms of rowing. It's really a spectacular scene to watch them singing and rowing, like marching of policemen in a parade. Boat songs have formed a part of Malayalam literature and it's known as 'Vanchippaatt' in Malayalam. It's a branch of Malayalam literary works of which Kuchelavritham vanchippaatt written by Ramapurathu Variyar based on 'Nathonnatha' vritham is most famous. Another famous vanchippaatt belonging to 'Nathonnatha' catagory is Kiraatham Vanchippaatt. Santhana Gopalam, Uthrattathi Charitham, Karuna, nalacharitham, Balaleela, Palazhy madhanam, Baana Yudham are also a few examples.

For Vallamkali, 3 types of songs are used - vanchippaattu, Vachupaattu and Sthotra ganam. To ridicule opponents, Kuthupaattu is also used very often. They select songs according to the demanding situations.

Real stars are boats

Boats known as Vallam in Malayalam are categorized according to their shape, size and performance. Some of the most popular Kerala boats are

1. Chundan Vallam (snake boats)

Snake boat is the most popular category and is included in icons to indicate Kerala culture. Boat races are incomplete without snake boats. Once they were used in battles. It makes us remember a cobra with raised hood as if it's getting ready to attack. It's made of jackfruit tree and its length varies from 100 to 158 feet. They are seen as the symbol of pride and 64 oarsmen can comfortably sit inside it. At occasions, their number doubles. In the middle portion of the second half of Chundan vallam, a platform is there where 8 persons can stand. They represent Ashtadikpalakas. A colourful decorated umbrella is also seen.

2. Churulan Vallam

It's a medium sized boat which can accommodate maximum of 25 rowers at a time. Both its ends are slightly elevated and curved. 'Churul' means curve in Malayalam and hence it's known as Churulan vallam. Women and children participants normally use this boat and its different models are available in Kuttanadu.

3. Odi(Veppu) Vallam

'Veppu' means 'preparing dishes' in Malayalam. when kings were reigning Kerala, while they went in snake boats for battles, these odi vallams used to accompany them. These boats are exclusively for chefs, who prepare dishes for kings and their soldiers. Preparations were done in these boats itself and hence these boats got this name. This boat also has a nick name, 'Paranthu vaalan', meaning 'Eagle-tailed'. It can accomodate upto 50 people at a time.

4. Kettu Vallam (House boats)

If boats are given roofs so that they resemble houses, it's known as Kettuvallam. Earlier house boats were used for the transportation of cargos, but now used for tourism purposes. The highlight of Kumarakam back waters is abundant number of house boats, which attract a lot of tourists. Though rates are high, tourists prefer to stay in house boats for days, to watch the beauty of backwaters and greenery. They can enjoy a lovely sail too.

5. Iruttukuthi

Less height boats, seen spread on water surface are known as Iruttukuthi.They were once used by robbers and decoits in the dark. 'Iruttu' means dark and hence the name.It's also known as Vadakkanodi. These boats have a special talent to travel against waves. 

Since June-July months is the monsoon season of Kerala, all its backwaters are filled with water. Thus, nature itself is preparing for the boat races. It's accompanied by blossoming spring, making this boat season lovely and more beautiful. Nowadays boat races are seen as a part of Onam celebrations, thereby promoting tourism. Boats are decorated using flowers, flags and colourful umbrellas and oarsmen are often accompanied by different dance troops of Kerala. They perform traditional art form like Kathakali, Thiruvathirakali, Mohini attam etc. All these decorations and dance troops give Kerala boats a magical touch, that everyone really love to watch! Boat races have become a part of Kerala's cultural heritage and Keralites without rhythms of boat songs in their mind and soul is very hard to imagine. Seasons have changed, people have moved forward a lot. Yet, some cultural symbols truly remain forever, even in years to come.