SNAKE BOAT RACING IN THE BACK WATERS

Of all the craft native to the Kuttanad backwaters,none is more majestic than the mighty snake boats-chundan vallam - as it is called in Malayalam language,
raced each in around a dozen different locations at the start of the Onam harvest festival. Up to 130 rowers crew these slender 70 metre long vessels,which are distinguished by their graceful cobra-shaped prows and beautiful brass studwork.The striking design evolved five centuries ago after a local ruler ordered a warship to be built that could absorb the recoil of a canon.
Nowadays,the position of the big gun on the firing platform is occupied by two
drummers whose job is to beat out the rhythm for the oarsmen to follow aided
by a choir of 25 singers.The strongest rowers sit at the front to set the pace,
while the boat is steered by six helmsmen at the rear.
Intense competition surrounds the annual races,with crews training for weeks
ahead of the big events,Alleppey's Nehru Trophy is the main meet of the year.
but similar,more traditional races are held on waterways across the Kuttanad
region for the duration of the monsoons