Onam
Visualised by Sunil Inframe
Vallamkali (Boatraces)
The most colorful part of Onam celebrations is the boat races, held in the backwaters and rivers of Kerala. The boat races are consid-ered to be symbolic of the sea-faring and
martial traditions of the early inhabitance of Kerala. The best known of these are the snake boat festivals held at Kuttanad in the first week of July and at Aranmula near Kottayam on the 5th day of Onam. The prime ministers Trophy boat race at Alappuzha has come an Independence Day feature. There are boats beak shaped, kite tailed curry headed and the like. Between 30 and 60 meters long with tall, cone shaped, tapering helms protruding several meters above water, and accommodating up to 100 men at the oars. These boats of exquisite elegance, plough the water to the rhythm of drums and cymbals. Above each boat, gleam scarlet silk umbrellas, when the boats go in procession.
