Kavalam
Encyclopedia
Kavalam is a village in Kuttanad
. This backwater village in Kerala
state, India
, is situated on the borders of Alapuzha and Kottayam
Districts, on the banks of Vembanad Lake
. The Pampa river flows through the village to merge into the famed Vembanad Lake. Its natural scenic beauty is legendary and has been used by many film makers. Relatively untouched by modernity, Kavalam is a green haven.
Interspersed with the kayals (canals) and lakes, this belly of Kerala's backwaters is serene. The lakes and kayals are filled with flocks of ducks, and in summer the rice paddies of Kuttanad turn golden. With a longtime history behind it, Kavalam is part of Kerala's cultural folklore.
A decade back, this sleepy village was accessible only by the lake boats provided by the Government of Kerala. As in many other remote parts of Kerala, this non-accessibility gave Kavalam a laidback atmosphere. The place is now accessible from Alleppey, Kottayam and Changanacherry by road. What makes Kavalam unique is its vast "watery junction" that joins five different canals at one place unlike other road junctions - a rare sight indeed!
The village boasts a snake boat named Kavalam Chundan
, which is a regular participant in the snakeboat Vallamkali races. Kavalam Chundan is the subject of the legendary film song of the 1960s Kuttanadan Punchayile Kochu penne, Kuyilaale.
Legend has it that the great Pandava prince Bhimsena visited the village during his foray into the forests of southern India. He chanced upon the daughter of the village headman and was stunned by her beauty. He approached the headman, asking to marry his daughter. The woman's brother put forward a challenge to the great Bhima: a wrestling match to the death. The Pandava was surprised and began to roar in laughter, for he had never lost a wrestling match. As the villagers tried to dissuade the youngster, Bhimsena began to lose his composure. He agreed to the fight on the condition that the story not be told outside the village and that the fight should not be to the death. He did not want to carry the guilt of taking the life of an innocent young man. The wrestling match was held, and Bhimsena was defeated. Stunned, he blessed the villagers with a strong heart and rich harvests.
Kuttanad
Kuttanadu is a region in the district of Alappuzha, in the state of Kerala, India, well known for its picturesque vast paddy fields and its geographical peculiarities. It's the region with the lowest altitude in India, and one of the few places in the world where farming is carried out below sea...
. This backwater village in Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
state, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, is situated on the borders of Alapuzha and Kottayam
Kottayam
Kottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
Districts, on the banks of Vembanad Lake
Vembanad Lake
Vembanad Lake is the longest lake in India, and the largest lake in the state of Kerala. It is also one of the largest lakes, in India. A lake spanning several districts in the state of Kerala, it is known by different names in different localities viz. Punnamada Lake in Kuttanad, Kochi Lake in...
. The Pampa river flows through the village to merge into the famed Vembanad Lake. Its natural scenic beauty is legendary and has been used by many film makers. Relatively untouched by modernity, Kavalam is a green haven.
Interspersed with the kayals (canals) and lakes, this belly of Kerala's backwaters is serene. The lakes and kayals are filled with flocks of ducks, and in summer the rice paddies of Kuttanad turn golden. With a longtime history behind it, Kavalam is part of Kerala's cultural folklore.
A decade back, this sleepy village was accessible only by the lake boats provided by the Government of Kerala. As in many other remote parts of Kerala, this non-accessibility gave Kavalam a laidback atmosphere. The place is now accessible from Alleppey, Kottayam and Changanacherry by road. What makes Kavalam unique is its vast "watery junction" that joins five different canals at one place unlike other road junctions - a rare sight indeed!
The village boasts a snake boat named Kavalam Chundan
Kavalam Chundan
Kavalam Chundan is a snake boat that belongs to Kavalam village. This snake boat was formerly known as Kainakary Puthan Chundan.It was later purchased by Mr Kochupurackal Ouseph Thomman in 1942....
, which is a regular participant in the snakeboat Vallamkali races. Kavalam Chundan is the subject of the legendary film song of the 1960s Kuttanadan Punchayile Kochu penne, Kuyilaale.
Legend has it that the great Pandava prince Bhimsena visited the village during his foray into the forests of southern India. He chanced upon the daughter of the village headman and was stunned by her beauty. He approached the headman, asking to marry his daughter. The woman's brother put forward a challenge to the great Bhima: a wrestling match to the death. The Pandava was surprised and began to roar in laughter, for he had never lost a wrestling match. As the villagers tried to dissuade the youngster, Bhimsena began to lose his composure. He agreed to the fight on the condition that the story not be told outside the village and that the fight should not be to the death. He did not want to carry the guilt of taking the life of an innocent young man. The wrestling match was held, and Bhimsena was defeated. Stunned, he blessed the villagers with a strong heart and rich harvests.
Prominent Natives of Kavalam
- Kavalam Narayana PanickerKavalam Narayana PanickerKavalam Narayana Panicker is an Indian dramatist, theatre director and poet. He has written over 26 Malayalam plays, many adapted from classical Sanskrit drama and Shakespeare, notably Madhyamavyayogam...
- Poet, Dramatist - Dr. K. Ayappa Panikkar - Poet
- Sardar K.M. PanikkarKavalam Madhava PanikkarHis Excellency Sardar Kavalam Madhava Panikkar was an Indian scholar, journalist, historian, administrator and diplomat...
- Diplomat, administrator, historian - Kavalam Sreekumar - Singer