BOAT FESTIVALS OF KERALA

The outstanding and truly national aquatic festivals in kerala, the land of several navigatable streams and picturesque back waters are the Annual boat races held on the broad waters of the principle rivers. In the old Central Travancore Area. Though in honou r and for the convenience of distinguished per sonages who visit the site. Boat Races are conducted with great eclat on the vembanad and Ashtamudi lagoons, these made to order Regattas, betray the absence of the genuine and exuberant national feeling and true and dominating atmosphere, of the real Boat Festivals. To witness, in full, the real grandeur,and feel the overwhelming national importance of the Kerala Boat Race, they must be seen in their natural picturesque environment, in the waterlogged areas in the Alleppey and Kottayam Districts. Boat races from the most color full and significant of the past times and sports during the Onam festival, the festival of Spring and Plenty in parts of the state situated close to rivers. During the ONAM the festival par excellence in Kerala, in the month of August- September, when close to rivers. During the Onam the festival par excellence in Kerala, in the month of August – september, when , close upon the harvest peace and plenty permeate all over the land majestic spectacular boat regattas are held as the visible and moving manifestations of consummate popular joy. The Onam is a season of sumptuous eating and bringing too where prohibition doe snot hold a sway of hilarious playing of warm days and pleasant night. National festival of great importance and tremendous popular appeal the picturesque boat races held during the merry Onam season, are thrilling sights in which the art, crafts, music, cultural and literature of a great nation combine to form a lovely and unique form of enjoyment where in more is meet the eye.

The annual boat race held at Aranmula and Champakkulam in old central Travancore are the pre-eminent and most typical of he boat festival in kerala. On the river front of the Vainava Temple at Aranmula. 90 miles to the north of Trivandrum idyllically situated on the left bank of river pamba with which sacred memories are associated famous aranmulla boat race is held every year on the uthrittathi, the forth day after the thiruvonam. The Aranmulla boat Race is in fact a part of the Onam festival. A health and bathing resort during summer month. Aranmulla is famous for its temple. The Boat Race and Aranmula metal mirror on the Uhtrittathi asterism the colorful Regatta is held at Aranmulla amidst all pervading mirth and nature's splendour.
It is at once the oldest most celebrated in kerala which continues attract specture from far and near.

Kith and kin , seperated by distance and various pre-occupations , join at old family houses , during the festival season, friends meet to exchange gay and grave thoughts , and join in merry making.
Tradition says that the boat race at Aranmula is held every year , in commenmoration of the crossing of the Pamba river by Arjuna , one of the Pandava brothers. The story goes that, following a long period of penance and austerity, Arjuna was on his way back to his native city with the image of Sri Krishna when he reached the northern bank of the river Pamba . He found it in high floods . The great warrior stood aghst. A low caste povety stricken, Hindu offered to ferry Arjun across the swelling river in a fragile canoe. Arjuna was all joy and thankfulness. On crossing the river arjuna installed the image of Sri Krishna ( Sri Parthasarathi ) he was carrying at the spot where the present temple stands. To honour the timely service rendered to Arjuna by the lowely boatman, boat races have ever since been conducted on the river in front of the temple.

The truly national character of the Boat Race is witnessed in the joy imparting fact that though the Aranmula Regatta, Organised as a purely Hindu festival is associated with the temple , the participants in the Regatta include members of all classes and communities inhabiting the neighbourhood of Aranmula . A healthy and loving rivalry exists between the different communities towards making the Boat Race an unprecedented success, every time . Here is the finest flowering of co-operative enterprise. Actuated not by profit making motives, but solely inspired by warm human understanding , and love of sport.

During the Aranmula Boat Race , the banks of the river , for a distance of about three miles would be one seething mass of humanity . Visitors who have come in small canoes and boats , will be clustering round the Race Boats. Elaborate police arrangements are called for to maintain peace and order. For occasionally in the unrestricted mirth and enthusiasm manifested on such occasions , and enlivened by intoxicating beverages, rivalry between the crews of different racing boats , might with the least provocation , assume alarming shape. Passions mount up and cool down with amazing and alarming quickness. Not in frequently , old feuds and rivalries are renewed. The boat race at Aranmula is not conducted for any prize or reward but the crews consider the Regattas as al fitting and also as an act of adoration to THIRU ARANMULA APPAN , the presiding deity in the temple . All the rowers of the different varities of boats are sumptuosly fed by the temple authorities , before the commencement of the race. At the finish of the race handsome rewards are also awarded . The race commences in the afternoon. Popular belief is that the Deity Himself graces all the participating boats with his presence , at the time of the beginning of the race the people at the near about Aranmula , have such implicit faith in the infallible efficacy of taking part in the regatta , as a means of conferment of health and wealth for the rest of the year, that no one dares to belittle the importance of the festival . The pious folk believe that the God never fails to inflict condign punishment on doubters and detractors, who ridicule the religious significance of the boat race.

Associated with an act of gratitude and divine worship, sanctified by national custom adored by popular will and lovingly fostered by successive generations , the Aranmula Boat race , the most spectacular boat festival in Kerala , forms the subject matter of two outstanding poetical works in the malayalam language namely Vilavattathu Raghavan Nambiyar's Aranmula Vilasm, and perumpara Vasudeva Bhattathiri's Uttarithathi Charitham, Kunchan Nambiyar , the great poetic wit of Kerala , has put it tersely that the charm and majesty of the boat race at Aranmula , on the lovely Pampa River defy description . Rev W.J. Richards one of the earliest westerners to witness the Aranmula Boat Race , has described the scene as follows in his book. 'NATIVE LIFE IN TRAVANCORE'.

“Aranmula 18th August 5 am , finds us opposite the great temple steps on which an immense and excited crowd stands , some holding long lighted cressets which are reflected in the water , making a weird apperance in the grey night of morning. The river is alive with canoes , big and little which are objects of great interest to those on the bank.there goes a stately racing boat with its prow nine feet out of the water and manned by a hundred rowers , besides a large number of singers, standing up and keeping time with hands and feet to the plash of the oars. These boats are reported when full to contain 200 persons each . How proudly they stand , how exultingly they sing , how gracefully they sway to and fro! Mark the feathering of the oars, and the musical motion of the paddles, stretched far from the boats and brought to the water at the end of a circular sweep. How fine the boats look ornamented at head and stern, by plates of burnished brass and large silver head nails . Which they call “Buddles”! This is ONAM , the great festival season of Travancore , and these are high caste people performing their national boat game. These five great boats abreast. Make the air ring with their songs as they glide in state, down the river . If we could but wait till next monday , the 23rd , we should see twenty five together”.

Various types of Boats, all home – made out of indigenous material are for the boat races, ranging from the magnificent Snake Boats (Chundan) nearly a hundred feet long and with 150 rowers, to the smallest one of the smallest one which measures 18 feet and accommodates a dozen crew. The boats are scooped out of single tree trunks, usually Kadampu and Anjily(Artocarpus Hirsuta). A lot of skill, labour, time and money, go into the making of these boats which are objects of envy and wonder from ages past. The popular varieties of Racing Boats are called Chundan, Churulan, Odi(iruttikuthi) and Paranthuvalan (veppu) and each differs from the other in the shape of the helm and prow and capacity to accommodate the crew. The differences in the construction of the remaining parts of the boats are not, however, very pronounced though the build naturally varies with the boats intended for the placid waters of rivers and lakes and the vessels which have to ply over the open backwaters where waves and currents have to be encountered. Easy and swift manoevrability is the principal concern with the making of boats which race over rivers and lakes. The cut water is reduced to minimum in these Boats. Their prows and helms are raised considerably high and streamlining is equally horizontal as well as vertical. The Chundan and Odi are such racing boats.in the construction of Boats in tended to negotiate in back waters
care is taken to see that the the cut water descends to almost to the keel and top heaviness is avoid by keeping the helm and prow very low. At either end, the gunwale is curved up to prevent waves dashing in as in the Churulan types of boats. The prow and helm of these boats are of identical build to facilitate easy manoering.
The chundan (Snake Boats) variety of Race Boats is usually 38 ½
to 48 ½ koles (one kol = 24 inches approx.) long and accommodates 1000 to 150 persons. The Chundan Boats vary in length from 12 ½ to 20 ¼ koles and their crew ranges from 10 to 36. The Odi also called Cheru Chundan has a length of 28 ¼ to 32 ¼ koles and has 40 to 60 rowers. The length of Prunthuvalan varies from 28 ¼ kol to 32 ¼ kol and it accommodates 28 to 36 rowers. The Iruttikuthi has also the same length as that of Parunthuvalan but it could take in sixty persons. Small variations in the length and capacity of different types of race boats are met with in boats constructed in different localities.

Of all the Race Boats the most important picturesque and is costly is the chundan, Snake Boat. The stern of Snake Boat rises about 15 feet from the water level, and is embellished with exquite ornamental designs in burnished brass and wood. The extent of elaborate and expensive ornamentation chareteristis of of the local crafts mans skill, indicate the wealth and eminence of the owner of the boat long and narrow. The snake boat cut across the water with majesty and grace. Few individual, only the wealthiest land owners own snake boats for they are very expensive. Costing a few thousands . The majority of snake boats are owned by Karas(part of a village,the cost of construction and maintenance of the boats being met by the karakkars,people of the locality . In the Regattas , the different karas owning race boats enter ,and with determination , inspired by local patriotism , strive their best to knock off of the prize.the competition is austere and keen , inspite of the mirth and revelry enveloping it

the race boats in use in kerala, have much a common with the war canoes of the old American indian , the maoris of New Zealand and some of the aboriginal tribes of the tropical countries , especially in regard to shape and build and the manner and contrivances of propulsion . The striking similarity of these country crafts of different types of non white races , is an intriguing subject of study , so full of historical and ethnological interest . It seems certain , that originally , the race boats served as war canoes of local chieftains . The ancestors of present race boats must have played important roles in territorial expansions of , and maintenance of peace by, the old chieftains of the principalities of Chembakasseri (Ambalappuzha), kayamkulam , Thekkumkoor(changanassery), and vadakkumkoor(kottayam) in the old travancore area . It may be that the present annual boat races had their glorious origin in the grand annual fleet reviews , with which in course of time , traditional , secular and religious associations came to be linked and that with the disappearance of maritime warfare and consequent on the liquidation of the petty principalities and their absorption in to the state of travancore the grand imposing fleet rewies , took on the role of picturesque national pageants reminding of past glories and achievements of great race of warriors.

Dressed in spotless white cloths , with white head gear gracefully tide , the leading man of karas take there places of honour in the race boats . The helmsmen , gay experienced and confident stand on the tall stern of the boats with paddles in their hands. It is astonishing to watch how these veterans nonchalantly perch, on to the high stern without loosing balance. When the Snake boats gleam across the waters throwing silver spray. The long graceful Snake boats are launched by dozens, into the broad river amidst songs and loud cheer to the accompaniment of stentorian music of drums and pipes. Red and green silk umberlas resplendent with gold and silver brocade and brightly coloured flags waving merrily in the breeze are carried by some of Kara Pramanies (leading men of locality ) who take their places of honour in the boat. In rows on behind the other side the rowers with paddles. Songsters, pipers and other flock occupy every available inch of space, with in the boat and lustly chear the rowers. The oarsman putting every ounce of their energy into their deft strocks which splash gleaming spray, the race boats should forward like foaming horses while the large crowds of spectators from either banks send up, corous after corous loud and continuous cheers. The voices of the rowers, too, break out in spirited song. Heard in true oriental atmosphere these folks assume a military character insite of the peaceful dispositions of the rowers and other participants.
Several boat songs of high literary quality and musical charm have been specially composed for being sung during the boat races. The love singing of the boat songs by group of people each knowing his part perfectly joining in just at the proper moment, without hitch, provided delight and encouragement to the rowers and the lookers on. The best known VANCHIPATTU(boat song) a classic in Malayalam Literature so full of lyrical charm and high poetry, is Ramapurathu Variars “Kuchala vrutham”. Interesting and intriguing are the circumstances in which the boat song come to be composed by a poverty striken poet and sung before a Sovereign Ramapurathu Variarr, a poet, liberally favoured by the Muse, but emaciated by poverty was advised by his friends to pay his respect to the ruler of Travancore who had come to the Vaikom Temple for worship. When the poet reached Vaikom temple on foot, greatly tired and actually starving he saw to his absolute disappointment and agony, that the Maharaja was about to embark on the royal boat on the return journey to the capital.The haggard and pity evoking apperaence of the poet caught the searching eye of ruler a patron of arts and letters. The Royal Master summoned Variar into the boat which the poet did with alacrity. On being told that Ramapurathu Variar was an indigent but devoted scholar poet, the Maharaja commended him to sing a suitable boat song, to the accompaniment of which the oarsman could row, without feeling fatigue. The poet began to sing the story of “Kuchalavrutham”, Kuchala's visit to Sri. Krishna. The story was indeed most appropriate for Variar like Kuchala was the poorest and neediest human being and the maharajah like Lord Krishna was blessed with all wealth ,pomp and power. The story goes that the song Kuchalavruthamwhich began to be sung at Vaikom, ended when the Royal Boat reached the Trivandurm Landing Ghat. The Maharaja realised the plight of the subject the modern Kuchela, and proved himself to be a veritable Sri Krishna by honouring the poet with riches and awards. Kuchalavrutham, a short, exquisite, narrative lyrical poem, sung in the raw boat tune is the most popular and heart touching of the boat songs in the, vogue. With 32 mantra in each line, this boat tune, confirms to the meter of the other popular paddle- boat tune, which, too have 32 mantras to the line. The tune is full of life and vigour and suited for purpose. KUCHELAVRITHAM was composed in the first half of 10th century malayalam year. Most popular of the folks songs in kerala are the boatmen s songs, of which there is a rich variety. The rhythm of each type of song varying with the speed of the boat. The text of these beautiful and appealing songs incorporate traditional stories, legends, satire, local gossip, and witticisms, all of rustic simplicity.

People of kerala are , by nature, fond of festivals, witty and humours, the malayalies react with carm philosophic out look and fortitude, to the changing vicissitudes of fortune. Their national festivals wield considerable integrating and entertaining influence in their festivals, so full of color and charm and abounding human appeal, kerala arts crafts and culture, live and speak, a direct a popular language. Festivals when duly absorved, attach men to the civil and religious institutions of their country; it is an evil, there fore, when they fall in to mis use. Bearing in mind this exhortation of southey. It is duty of every malayaly to keep alive the national festivals of kerala, among which, boat races occupy the top ranking place...........................................