Nehru Trophy Boat Race

നെഹ്റു വള്ളം കളി Nehru Trophy Boat Race
First boat race	1952
Annual event since	1954
Current champion	Karichal
Course	Punnamada Lake, Alappuzha Kerala
Course length	1.4 km (0.9 miles)
Trophy	Nehru Trophy

The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is a popular Vallam Kali held in the Punnamada Lake near Alappuzha, Kerala, India. Vallam Kali or Vallamkali literally means boat play/game, but can be translated to boat race in English. The most popular event of the race is the competition of Chundan Vallams (snake boats). Hence the race is also known as Snake Boat Race in English. Other categories of boats which participate in various events of the race are Churulan Vallam, Iruttukuthy Vallam, Odi Vallam, Veppu Vallam (Vaipu Vallam), Vadakkanody Vallam and Kochu Vallam.

The Nehru Trophy Valam kali is conducted on the second saturday of August every year and is a famous tourist attraction

Etymology

People watching Nehru Trophy Boat Race, 2013

Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of Independent India visited Kerala in 1952. He was given a roaring reception by the people of Alleppey, escorted by the huge snake-boats. Having gone through the tremendous excitement of sailing in a snake-boat Jawaharlal Nehru donated a rolling trophy to be awarded to the winner of the race. The trophy is a replica of a snake-boat in silver, placed on wooden abacus on which the following words are inscribed.

To the winner of the boat-race which is a unique feature of community life in Travancore-Cochin.

It was on 1 July 1969 that the trophy was renamed as Nehru Trophy. It was decided in the NTBR meeting held on that day.

Course

The course is 1.4 Km (0.9 Miles) in Punnamada Lake. The 100–120 feet long canoes made of a wood locally called "Aanjili thadi" carrying 90- 110 rowers which moves like a snake through the channels (hence the name), is an eye catching sight for any tourist. The Chundan Vallam also has the record as "the biggest water vessel used for sports purpose" .

Competitors

Karichal, Kallooparamban, champakulam, Nadubhagom, Paayipaadu, Kaavalam, Alapaatu, Aanari, Cheruthana, Aayaparambu,karuvatta puthen chunden,karuvatta sree vinayakan, St. George, Jawahar Thaayankari, Vallamkulangara, Valiya Divanji, Sri.Ganesh, Paarthasarathy, Ambedkar, Mutteal Kainakary, Ellikkulam, Vadakkeaattupuram and Deva's Chundan are the name of popular snake boats who participate in the Chundan Vallam category.

The snake boat which holds the record for winning the most number of trophies is th Karichal Chundan(14 times). Champakulam chundan holds the record for being the fastest chundan in the race during 2014 where it had a Heats time of 4m:33s. UBC Kainakary holds the record for being the club which has won the trophy the most number of times(12 times, including two hat tricks).

Media coverage

The event is being televised live every year by Doordarshan .In 2016 the event was shown in High Definition Channel ,'Doordarshan HD' for the first time.

Winners

Boat Races of Kerala (Punnamada)

A tourist capturing the race moments. Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2013

Boat races of Kerala

Nehru Trophy Boat Race Waiting to start

Punnamada Boat Race

The current hatrick title for continuously winning three times in a row is held by Kumarakom Town Boat Club under the leadership of Raju Vadakkathu Kumarakom Kottayam.

Other renowned boat races in Kerala

• President's Trophy Boat Race
• Kumarakom Boat Race
• Triprayar Boat Race
• Kandassankadavu Boat Race
• Kottayam Thazathagady Boat Race
• Kumarakom Kavanattilnkara Boat Race
• Kallada Boat Race
• Indira Gandhi Boat Race
• Champakulam Moolam Boat Race
• Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkali
• Payippad Jalotsavam
• Karuvatta Jalotsavam
• Thuruthippuram Boat Race
• Mahakavi Kumaranasan Memorial Jalotsavam
• Neerettupuram Boat Race

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nehru Trophy Boat Race.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chundan Vallam.

• Official Nehru Trophy Boat Race Website
• www.snakeboatrace.com
• Nehru Trophy Boat Race Video
• 60th Nehru Trophy Boat Race Website
• 61st Nehru Trophy Boat Race Website
• 64st Nehru Trophy Boat Race Website

References