HISTORY OF BOAT RACES IN KERALA

Boat Races signifies excellent team spirit, integration and amity of the people of this backwater country. These Boat Races are Occasions of great excitement that is reflection of a vibrant people. Boat races are celebrated as the festival of backwaters with all pomp and splendor . In fact these water carnivals are inseparable from the life of a community, which is dependent on boats for commutation, and communication in a water logged area. Perhaps snake boat race would be the only sporting event in the world in which hundreds of people participate in a competition. It stands as a symbol of communal harmony, but at the same time there is a competition of muscular power.

Snake Boats are Magnificent fiestas that bring alive the tranquil backwaters. Snake boat races are held in connection with Onam, the harvest festival in August/September. Scores of long snake boats and other smaller crafts participate in these events. Snake Boat Race is easily the largest team sport in the world,in which the number of participants often cross the 1800 figrure mark .The snake boat races are preceded by colorful water parades. Usually four helmsman, 25 singers and 100-125 oarsmen who row in unison to the fast rhythm of the Vanchipattu (Song of the oarsmen) man a snake boat. Thousands of people crowd the water's edge to cheer the huge black crafts as they slice through the waters to spectacular finish.

In the lakes and canals of Alappuzha different kinds of boats can be identified. Small country crafts in which only single person can travel to boats carrying hundreds of people, can be seen in the region. Once upon a time these boats were the major means for cargo transportation and passenger transportation in the area. Country canoes, rice boats (Kettuvallom), house boats, race boats etc. are the different kind of boats.

The boat race season in Alappuzha is heralded by the famous Champakkulam Moolam boat race (July). The other boat races are Aranmula Uthruttathi Vallam kali (September), Payippad Jalotsavam (September), Rajiv Gandhi boat race, Pulincuunnu (Aug/Sep), Neerettupuram boat race (Sept), Karuvatta boat race, Kumarakom boat race, Kavanattinkara boat race, Kottappuram boat race, Kodungallor boat race, Arppookkara Vanitha Jalamela, Kottayam Mahatma boat race, Mnnar boat race, Thazhathangadi boat race, Kumaranasan Smaraka Jaloltsavam, Pallana and Indira Ghandi boat race Kochi.Though there are a number of boat races in Kerala, in all respect, the 'Nehru Trophy Boat Race' is the most famous and the biggest event which attracts the largest crowd.

The oldest of the events have curious legends and myths attached to their origin. Myths which are very closely linked to the rustic people and their beliefs.