Nehru Trophy Boat Race
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 types 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 race conducted on the second Saturday of August every year is a major tourist attraction.
Contents |
[edit] How this boat race got the name
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.
The 100–120 foot 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" .
Karichal, Kallooparamban, Chambakulam, Nadubhagom, Paayipaadu, Kaavalam, Alapaatu, Aanari, Cheruthana, Aayaparambu, St. George, Jawahar Thaayankari, Vallamkulangara, Valiya Divanji, Sri.Ganesh, Paarthasarathy, Ambedkar, Pattara, Ellikkulam, Vadakkeaattupuram and Deva's Chundan are the name of popular snake boats who participate in the Chundan Vallam category. Famous Karichal Chundan winning the Nehrutrophy Boat Race in 14 times. (www.karichalchundan.com)
Palliyodam, or Royal Canoe of Aranmula, is the other type of snake boat.
[edit] Winners
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.
| Year | Club | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Nadubhagam Boat club | natubhagam chundan |
| 1954 | kaavalam team | Kavaalam chundan |
| 1955 | Nedumudi NSS Karayogam | Paarthasarathi Chundan |
| 1956 | kaavalam team | Kavaalam chundan |
| 1957 | Ponga Boat club | Neoplian Chundan |
| 1958 | Ponga Boat club Kavalam Boat Club |
Neoplian Chundan Kaavalam Chundan |
| 1959 | Ponga Boat club | Neoplian Chundan |
| 1960 | kaavalam boat club | Kavaalam chundan |
| 1961 | Ponga Boat club | Neoplian Chundan |
| 1962 | kaavalam boat club | Kavaalam chundan |
| 1963 | U.B.C Kainakari | Kainakari chundan |
| 1964 | U.B.C Kainakari | St. George Chundan |
| 1965 | U.B.C Kainakari | Parthasarathi Chundan |
| 1966 | Pulinkunnu boat club | Pulinkunnu chundan |
| 1967 | Pulinkunnu boat club | Pulinkunnu chundan |
| 1968 | U.B.C Kainakari | Parthasarathi Chundan |
| 1969 | Pulinkunnu boat club | Pulinkunnu chundan |
| 1970 | U.B.C Kainakari | Kallooparamban chundan |
| 1971 | Kumarakam boat club Pulinkunnu boat club |
Kallooparamban chundan Pulinkunnu chundan |
| 1972 | Kumarakam boat club | Kallooparamban chundan |
| 1973 | Kumarakam boat club | Kallooparamban & Karichal |
| 1974 | Friends boat club | Karichal Chundan |
| 1975 | Friends boat club | Karichal Chundan |
| 1976 | UBC Kainakari | Karichal Chundan |
| 1977 | Thayankari boat club | Jawahar chundan |
| 1978 | Thaynkari boat club | jawahar thayankari |
| 1979 | UBC Kainakari | Aayaparambu Valiya Diwanji |
| 1980 | Pullingati boat club | Karichal chundan |
| 1981 | No Winners | . |
| 1982 | Kumarakam boat club | Karichal chundan |
| 1983 | Kumarakam boat club | Karichal chundan |
| 1984 | Kumarakam boat club | Karichal chundan |
| 1985 | Friends boat club | jawahar thayankari |
| 1986 | Village boat club, Kainakari | Karichal chundan |
| 1987 | Village boat club, Kainakari | Karichal chundan |
| 1988 | Pallathurathi boat club | Vellamkulangara Chundan |
| 1989 | UBC Kainakari | Chambakulam chundan |
| 1990 | UBC Kainakari | Chambakulam chundan |
| 1991 | UBC Kainakari | Chambakulam chundan |
| 1992 | Sreelakshmana boat club | Kallupramban chundan |
| 1993 | UBC Kainakari | Kallupramban chundan |
| 1994 | Jet Airways | Chambakulam chundan |
| 1995 | Alappuzha boat club | Chambakulam chundan |
| 1996 | Alappuzha boat club | Chambakulam chundan |
| 1997 | Navajeevan club | Alappadan chundan |
| 1998 | Pallathuruthi boat club | Chambakulam chundan |
| 1999 | Kumarakam town boat club | Alappadan chundan |
| 2000 | Alappuzha boat club | Karichal chundan |
| 2001 | Friends boat club | Karichal chundan |
| 2002 | Kumarakam boat club | Vellamkulangara chundan |
| 2003 | Navajeevan boat club | Karichal chundan |
| 2004[1] | Kumarakam Town boat club | Cheruthana chundan-Raju Vadakkathu |
| 2005 | Kumarakam Town boat club | Payippad chundan-Raju Vadakkathu |
| 2006 | Kumarakam town boat club | Payippad chundan-Raju Vadakkathu |
| 2007[2] | Kumarakam town boat club | Payippad chundan |
| 2008[3] | Kollam Jesus boat club | Karichal chundan |
| 2009[4] | Kollam Jesus boat club | Chambakkulam chundan |
| 2010 | Kumarakam Town boat club | Jawahar Thayankari |
| 2011 | Jesus Boat Club, Kollam | DEVAS Chundan |
[edit] Other renowned boat races in Kerala
- President's Trophy Boat Race
- Kallada Boat Race
- Indira Gandhi Boat Race
- Champakulam Moolam Boat Race
- Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkali
- Payippad Jalotsavam
[edit] External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Chundan Vallam |
