Alappuzha - : " VENICE OF THE EAST"

It is festival of Kuttanad. It is emotional deluge for punnamada lake. Alappuzha, “venice of the east” and Kerala, gods own country are all prepared to celebrate the festival on every second saturday of August, “ nehru trophy boat race”. The annual water jamboree is held at the palm fringed and picturesque backwaters. To those who witness it, the boat race becomes to a carnival to all to participated in, for the thrill of it. On the day of the fiercely fought boat race, the tranquil lake front is transformed in to a sea of humanity. The pride of the boat race is the snake boat. Nearly 18 chundans or snake boats vie with each other to emerge winner in the prestigious event. Sleek and emaciatedly poised, the snake boats are pride of every village.

Kuttanad - where snake boat racing is a cult

Preparations for the big water sport begin several months in advance. The snake boat is smeared with sardine oil for smooth passage through water. The best oars men are selected. Around 120 oars men take the vow to observe strict abstinence from the day they are selected till the race is over. The boat race is the greatest team sport. Each ward in the village and at times rich land lords take the responsibility of feeding the oarsmen during the days of practice at mass feasts on the river banks. The boat race also features communal harmony.

Boat regattas in Kerala are generally held during the onam season . Onam brings behomic to one and all . It is also the harvest season . The series of boat races here begins with the moolam boat race at champakulam . The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is held just before the month of Chingam ,which marks the beginning of the new year in the malayalam era. On Uthrittathi day , there is the Aranmula Boat Race. Rajiv Gandhi Boat Race is held at Pulinkunnu . The Karuvatta Boat Race also draws attention. Vanchipattu or the song sung during the water regattas are part of the poetic branch of the literature of the state. The presence of innumerable canals and rivers in the district accounts for the conduct of such a large number of boat regattas. While some like the Vallomkali (Boat Race) at Aranmula are only impressive processions , others are competitions. Though some of these have a religious origin and character , people of all casts and creeds participate in these pageants. On water , with utmost enthusiasm. Apart from the huge chundans , there are boats of small sizes participating in the race. These are 'Veppu' ,'Eruttukuthi',and 'Oadi' Vallams (Boats) Boat Races have now acquired national and international dimensions.

Alappuzha - " A water sports center in Tropics

When Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru visited Travancore-Cochin on december 22nd , 1952 no one had thought that this trip would mark the beginning of a globally acclaimed boat race. He chanced a trip from Kottayam to Alappuzha by boat, through water logged Kuttanad. A pageantry of snake boats accompanied him on the trip. It was so thrilling that Pandit Nehru, unable to contain his excitement , jumped into one of the boats. He suggested making the boat race an annual event . Immediately after reaching Delhi, he sent an autographed silver replica of a snake boat as a trophy with the message ;” To the winners of the boat race which is a unique feature of community life in Travancore-Cochin ”.

The history of Alappuzha district forms part of the history of erstwhile state of Travancore . Considering the geographical position and physical features of the district , it may be assumed that the word of Alappuzha means the land between the sea and a network of rivers flowing into it.The master mind that worked in turning Alappuzha into a commercial center was Raja Kesava Das , the illustrious Divan of Travancore.
For the progress of Alappuzha , the Divan brought businessmen from all parts of the country. Canals were opened for the transportation of spices and forest goods. The Vadai canal and Commercial Canal are his contributions . Roads were also constructed. Veluthambi Dalava also had done much for the development of Alappuzha. The light house at Alappuzha spreads light to a distance of 20 kilometers.Alappuzha became the center of trade for coir, copra, pepper,ginger, cardamom, rubber and tea. Today , the state of Alappuzha is different. The canals have become garbage centers. No ship comes here. With the development of Cochin Port. Factories have seized to be centers of hectic activities. The town which is blessed by nature has to rise up . The development of tourism provides hope for Alappuzha.

All the traditional festivals and pastimes of Kerala have flourished in Alappuzha district .It has played an important part in the development of the time honoured temple arts ' kathakali ' , 'koothu' , 'koodiyattam ' , and 'ottamthullal' are cherished and performed here. The technique of the art of Kathakali developed considerably through the years, thanks to the gifted artists in the district. Temple art like 'patakam' , 'Harikatha',and 'Gitam' are prevalent here. The 'Kathaprasangam' of now a days is a modified form of Harikatha. Two other festivals associated with the district are the Velakali and Kuthirakettu Thukkam or Hook Swinging is also a special performance conducted with temples . Kilithattukali and Pulikali were the favourite outdoor games once.Thiruvathirakali is essentially a feminine pastime. I t is a kind of dance play accompanied by acting singing and hand clapping . Koladi , Unjalattam and Ninthal (Swimming ) may also be included in the traditional games and pastimes. Some of these arts and games are performed and demonstrated during the interval of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race at punnamada lake.

Places to visit in Alappuzha

Alappuzha district also has some of the important pilgrim centers. The temples at Alappuzha , ambalapuzha , cherthala , chettikulangara, mullakkal and kidaganparambu deserves special mention. The mullakkal chirappu has gained much . The important christian centers of pilgrimage are the St George Church at Edathua and St Andrews Forane Church at Arthungal. The mosques at kallupalam and purakkad are thronged by many of the prayers. Perfect communal harmony exists in this part of the trra-firma. Early history of Alappuzha is replete with wide spread prevalence of Buddhism.

Buddhist Tradition of Alappuzha

Buddhist images have been discovered at Bharanikkavu , Mavelikkara and Karumadi, of which the one of the karumadi is the most famous. The Jain temple near the beach at Alappuzha is also a place of worship.

Alappuzha abiding fame is also owing to the illustrious men of letters. Ambalapuzha saw the flowering of malayalam's spirited satirist par excellence Kunchan Nambiar. The veteran writer and Janapeedom award winner Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai has taken malayalam literature to national and international levels, noted poet K . Ayyapapanikar also hails from Kuttanad . Vayalar Rama Varma and novelist P.Kesavadev are also products of this region.The trade union movement of India also had its baptism at Alappuzha. Alappuzha thus is a place of harmony in variety. Here is Gods Plenty.

When One Looks Back

The sagging economic scenario of Kuttanad and Alappuzha can be uplifted only through the promotion of tourism the romantic houseboats which are actually the kevu vallams of yesteryears have now become a much sought after luxury. It has become a part of the tourist attraction. These are available for hire. Tender coconut water, good food , neat toilets, good seating arrangements, bedrooms , facility for sun bath , photography, bird watching and fishing are the highlights of the houseboats floating through the serene and calm backwaters.

Tourism waiting to take wings

With the proper tapping of the resources provided by nature and the creator , Alappuzha can regain its lost glory. Let us all strive together to turn this place of rivers , canals, lakes, lagoons, bridges, boats,docks,paddy fields, arts , literature, festivals.festivalities,and above all the highest percentage of literacy among Indian states into a Paradise on Earth.