Vallam Kali season is officially on. Amidst this, the eagerly anticipated season opener, the Champakulam Moolam boat race, is scheduled to take place today on the Pampa River at Champakulam. This year&rsquos event will feature 13 boats, including six snake boats, competing across four categories.
Raja Pramukhan Trophy
The race promises to be thrilling as the 150-ft-long Kundan vallams, propelled by approximately 100 rowers, glide through the water. Local and international visitors will be seen cheering and singing traditional boat songs as the participants compete for the highly sought-after "Raja Pramukhan Trophy."
Following the Moolam boat race, a series of races will be held across the region and other parts of the State in the upcoming months. One highly anticipated event is the 69th edition of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race (NTBR), popularly known as "Kuttanad&rsquos Olympics on Water," tentatively scheduled for August 12. The NTBR is expected to kick-start this year&rsquos edition of the Champions Boat League (CBL).
What Is Vallam Kali
In 13th-century Kerala, a war between the feudal kingdoms of Kayamkulam and Chembakassery gave rise to a remarkable feat of naval engineering. King Devanarayana of Chembakassery, seeking an advantage in the conflict, commissioned the construction of a war boat known as Chundan Vallam. A renowned carpenter of the time was tasked with crafting this vessel, marking the beginning of a legacy that has endured for over eight centuries. Among the snake boats still in active service, the Parthasarathi Chundan is the oldest model, representing a tangible link to the past.
Traditionally, Vallam Kali, the boat race, has been an integral part of the Onam harvest festival, celebrated during the autumn season. The race of the Chundan Vallam, the iconic snake boat, takes centre stage during these festivities. However, Vallam Kali encompasses a variety of races featuring different types of traditional paddled longboats unique to Kerala. These races have gained significant popularity among tourists and have become a major attraction in Kerala.
Cover Photo Credits Sids/Shutterstock.com
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