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Vallam kali

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Aranmula Boat in Uthrattathi Boat Race
Chundan Vallam
Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2024 at Punnamada Lake, Alappuzha
Vallam Kulangara - Snake boats

Vallam kali (vaḷḷaṃ kaḷi, literally: boat game), also known as snake boat race, is a traditional boat race held in the Punnamada Lake of Kerala, India. It is a form of canoe racing and uses paddled war canoes. These races typically take place during the monsoon season, from July to September,[1] and are closely associated with the Onam festival.

History

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Vallam Kali

In Kerala, during an early 13th-century war between the feudal kingdoms of Kayamkulam and Chembakassery, King Devanarayana of Chembakassery commissioned the construction of a war boat named Chundan Vallam and tasked a famous carpenter of the day with the responsibility of creating it.[2] Hence, the technical methods for creating these snake boats are around 8 centuries old. Of the snake boats still in use today, the Parthasarathi Chundan is the oldest model.[3][4][5][6] For the past 400 years, the chundan vallam and other boat types started being used for vallam kali, held along many of the lakes of Kerala.[7]

Vallam Kali was performed as a religious ritual to honor past Hindu kings and gods that dwell among the coastal temples. For example, the Aranmula Uthrattathi Boat Race, which is celebrated as a ritual to honor Lord Parthasarathy, is connected to the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple.[5] Due to their synchronicity with the Onam festival, they are also used to honor the legendary King Mahabali.[7] But in the modern era, the transition from a local tradition to a state-recognized sport began in 1952, when former Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru visited Kerala and witnessed a boat race at the Punnamada Lake near Alappuzha. Captivated by the boats and the races, he decided to jump on one of the boats himself, avoiding his security. Later on that year, he decided to donate a silver trophy, which in turn became the prize for the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, one of the most famous vallam kali competitions.[7][8]

Globalization

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In 2019, Kerala tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran announced the establishment of a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to globally telecast the IPL-inspired Champions Boat League as an annual event, with the intention of generating revenue and tourist attraction through advertisements and sponsorships.[9] Today, these races draw thousands of spectators from across Kerala, the rest of India, and abroad. Due to its connection with Onam, local schools often close, allowing children to join in the celebrations and watch the competitions.[10] Not all vallam kali is competition-oriented however, with other races, like the Aranmula Uthrattathi Boat Race, still retaining their ritual aspects.

Nehru Trophy Boat Race

Vanchippattu

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Vanchippattu (lit. 'boatsong') is a form of poetry in the Malayalam language that is commonly used during vallam kali and related festivals. During Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkali, the vanchipattu is performed by the participants for its significance in the rituals. Ramapurathu Warrier is considered to be the pioneer of the vanchippattu.[11]

Types of boats

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Vallam kali boats are designed in the style of traditional paddled war canoes. The most popular type of boat used during vallam kali is called the chundan vallam ('snake boat'). Other common types of boats used in vallam kali are listed below:[5]

Boat Type Description Crew Size Common Use
Chundan Vallam The classic "snake boat." 100–120 feet long, it holds the record as the largest water vessel used for competitive sport. It's recognizable by its iconic raised prow, which represents the snake's hood. 64-128[12] Major races (e.g. Nehru Trophy)
Churulan Vallam Smaller, more agile version, the "curly boat". It's recognizable by its symmetry and curvature; both sides of the boat - the prow and stern - rise upward, giving it a curved appearance. Exact dimensions vary by region and race. 30-40 More local races
Veppu Vallam Known as the "cooking boat," this support boat is smaller in size and was traditionally used for provisions to soldiers during naval wars.[13] 25-30 Short races
Odi Vallam The "running boat." Historically used to protect cargo vessels by chasing pirates and sea robbers, this type of boat is lightweight and fast in nature, typically used for races for shorter sprints. Sometimes called iruttukuthi vallam ("dark cutted boat") since "its speed challenges darkness."[13] Varies Local and community races
Vadakkanody Vallam The "northern running boat." One of the more traditional boats, used for local races. Varies Community events
Kochu Vallam Literally known as the "small boat," it's recognized for its compact size and lighter build. Varies Minor races

Rules

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Though rules mostly vary by region and type of event, standardized rules are enforced among more competitive races, in which a violation can lead to a penalty or disqualification from the race.[14]

Each team, which represents a village or a club, is required to register their boats and display their boat name. Captains are expected to identify themselves for the duration of the race, and all rowers, with a minimum required for each boat category, are expected to be in their attire.[14]

Major races are typically longer, with the Nehru Trophy Boat Race spanning 1.4 km in length.[5] Before the race starts, all boats must participate in the processional period, often called the mass drill, where boats are presented and displayed. People must be lined up in two lanes to row the boat.[14] When the race starts, the goal of each boat is to cross the finish line in the fastest time possible while staying on the allotted track. An individual timing system is placed to accurately mark the finish times of each boat down to millisecond precision.[15] The winning team is given prize money; though amounts vary with the type and level of competition, prizes are typically over ₹1 lakh.[5] If multiple teams finish the race within the same time, however, some competitions allow teams to share the trophy for 6 months each; the order of which team keeps the trophy first is determined by a draw.[15] When the race concludes, each boat must immediately exit the finishing area.[14]

Training and preparation

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To ensure success in the race, both the boat and its participants need to undergo months of rigorous training. As each boat represents either a village or a club, community spirit is prioritized and a key feature in vallam kali.[5] Additionally, to preserve its religious purpose, certain rituals need to be done in participation.

The best oarsmen, typically about 150, are selected from each village. Physical conditioning is a major aspect of training, focusing on synchronizing strokes with vanchippattu. Physical training is guided by senior oarsmen, and the vanchippattu is often led by the karanaadan (captain) and four adanayampu (rudder oarsmen) of the boat.[5] Endurance is also often needed, requiring 80-100 strokes per minute from each rower to ensure the best chance of success.[5] Participants of each boat engage in strict abstinence and diets, limiting their nutrition to the Valla Sadhya.[16]

Boats themselves also need to undergo strict maintenance and decoration, sometimes even year-round. A mixture of fish oil, coconut shell, and ash is used to oil the boats and keep the wood and hull strong. These repair measures are often carried out by the village carpenter and are most prioritized before and after each race. Decoration is then added, most often including cultural ornaments such as silk umbrellas and brass lamps.[5]

Men's and women's events take place separately.[14] Attire is less strict, but participants are often barefoot and adorn a white mundu and turban.[17][18] On the day of the race, rituals and blessings are given towards the boats. In the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, for example, the men offer paddy, tobacco, and betel leaves to Parthasarathy and circumambulate the temple, chanting in Vanchipattu.[18] Then boats are led to the water in the mass drill right before the race with traditional music and dance in the background, paying homage to its cultural part.[5]

List of periodical vallam kali events

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Minor events

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ The Unknown India (3 August 2025). Vallam Kali – Kerala's Sacred Boat Race Where Faith Rows Faster Than Speed #kerela #snakeboatrace. Retrieved 7 August 2025 – via YouTube.
  2. ^ MS, Prasanth. "karichal chundan - Nehru Trophy Winner 2016, karichal, karichalchundan, karichalchundan.com,payipad boat race, kerala snake boat race, snake boat race in india appi kerala". Karichalchundan.com. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  3. ^ Neethu & Athul (24 November 2021). "Vallam Kali: The famous festival of boat race in Kerala". Our Backpack Tales. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  4. ^ "Origin of Vallamkali (Boat Race)". Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Das, Salim M. (6 July 2025). "Boat Races (Vallam Kali) in Kerala: A Celebration of Tradition, Teamwork, and Heritage". ILLIKKALAM Lakeside Cottages Kumarakom: Kumarakom Hotel Resort with Affordable Lakeside Lake Facing Cottages | Official Website. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  6. ^ Halder, Asim Kumar; Guohua, Zheng (1 June 2024). "The Cultural Ecological Adaptation and Contemporary Development of Folk Sport: A Systematic Investigation Based on the Harvest Festival (Onam) Custom of Snake Boat Race (Vallam Kali) at Aranmula Village in Southern India". Journal of the Anthropological Survey of India. 73 (1): 120–133. doi:10.1177/2277436X231207172. ISSN 2277-436X.
  7. ^ a b c "Famous snake boat races in Kerala | The Leela Palaces Hotels and Resorts". www.theleela.com. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  8. ^ "Invest Kerala | The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is amongst the premier snake boat races in Kerala". invest.kerala.gov.in. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  9. ^ Sreelesh, V. K. (27 June 2019). "Kerala sets up SPV for Champion's Boat League | Kerala sets up SPV for Champion's Boat League". madhyamamonline.com. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  10. ^ "School Holiday on 28 August 2025: Closed in THESE States Due to Heavy Rain, Flood and Land Slide". Jagranjosh.com. 27 August 2025. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  11. ^ Pillai, R. Ramabhadran (8 August 2015). "A fusion twist to Vanchipattu". The Hindu. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  12. ^ Myshok, Mariia (20 May 2024). "Snake Boat Races (Vallam Kali)". rove.me. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
  13. ^ a b Ganesh, K.N. (1 January 2013). Exercises in Modern Kerala History (2nd ed.). Kottayam: Sahitya Pravarthaka Co-operative Society Ltd. pp. 32–49. ISBN 9788192282282.
  14. ^ a b c d e "Instruction for the participating boats" (PDF). nehrutrophy.nic.in.
  15. ^ a b "New code for Nehru Trophy Boat race: Main changes". www.onmanorama.com. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
  16. ^ "The Internationally famous Boat racing Festival of Kerala". Kerala Picnic Spot. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
  17. ^ "Famous Boat races in Kerala - Alleppey Houseboat Club 1". 15 September 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
  18. ^ a b "Kerala Boat Race: History, Types & Famous Events | keralafolklore.com". keralafolklore.com. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
  19. ^ "Gothuruthu Boat Race, Gothuruth Boat race, Ernakulam, Muziris Heritage Site, Kerala, India - Kerala Tourism". Keralatourism.org. Archived from the original on 3 April 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  20. ^ "Gothuruth Boat Race". Archived from the original on 18 May 2014.
  21. ^ a b c "The Internationally famous Boat racing Festival of Kerala". Keralapicnicspot.com. Archived from the original on 20 April 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
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