President's Trophy Boat Race
Encyclopedia
The President's Trophy Boat Race (പ്രേസിടെന്റ്സ് ട്രോഫി വള്ളം കളി) is a popular Vallam Kali
held on the Ashtamudi lake
on Atham day which marks the start of Onam
Celebrations in Indian state of Kerala
.
This is the most popular of the races to be held during the season of the harvest festival Onam
in Autumn on ashtamudi lake in Kollam
district of Kerala
. It is an annual event extravaganza. The course of the boat race will be from the Thevally Bridge, across Ashtamudi Lake, to the Kollam boat jetty, near the Kollam Kerala State Road Transport Corporation KSRTC
bus depot.
There would be races in five categories, namely Chundan Vallam (snake-boats), two grades of Veppu Vallam, and two grades of Iruttukuthi Vallam. The gold-plated trophy was being made at a cost of Rs.10 lakh. The conduct of the event is expected to cost Rs. two crore.
Sixteen snake-boats would compete in four heats. The racecourse will be the 1.2-km stretch of the lake from the Thevally Palace to Boat Jetty. There will be four tracks, each 10 metre wide.
The largest team sport in the world, the snake boat races are the major attraction of the event. As the oarsmen throw their oars in unison to the fast paced rhythm of the vanchipattu (Song of the Boatmen), the huge black crafts slice through pristine race course of Ashtamudi Lake to a spectacular finish. Hundreds of spectators, including tourists from abroad, thronging the lake front, erupts out of joy.
The trophy had been instituted in the name of the President of India. President of India will be present to witness the race and would also give away the trophy and cash prize to the winning team. With the distinction of being the only regatta on the country in the name of the President of India, it reflects the ethos of this land of backwaters.
Considering Astamudi Lakes the main tourism centre in the district having immense potential to occupy a prominent place in the world tourism map, the District Administration and District Tourism Promotion Council decided to conduct a boat race in the name of Hon’ble President of India. Her Excellency the Hon’ble President of India will bless the occasion.
The venue is at Gateway of Ashtamudi – the boat jetty near bus station. The race will start from the water column near Thevally Palace and finishing point will be frond of the house boat terminal. The water body having 1250 m long in between these two points is scheduled as the Track for the race.
s are supposed to be Navy boats of Chempakasserry rules. It has got a length of more than a hundred feet and usually more than a hundred people are on board. Both the ends of the boats are raised from the water level. The rear end has a height of about twenty feet from the surface of the water. Nearly eighty six persons are rowers, ten to fifteen are to give the rhythm, four are to steer the vessels. It is to be specially noted that the chundans have the maximum maneuverability among all sorts of race boats. The Chundan (Snake Boat) variety of Race Boats usually 38.5 to 48.5 koles (One kole being equivalent to 24 inches) long and accommodates 100 to 150 persons.
Oadis or Eruttukuthies have a different origin. They were used for smuggling. It is to be noted that they are seen in plenty in the coastal areas near Cochin and suburbs. Their very design is for speed. Both the ends are alike. Maneuverability is little, practically nil. They are never turned and rowers. The Odi, also called Cheru Chundan, has a length of 28.25 to 32.25 koles and has 40 to 60 rowers.
Veppu Vallams (Paranthuvalans) are said to be boats that were used to carry stores for the soldiers on board and Chundans. Vaipu became Veppu by usage. Vaipu in Malayalam means cooking. The design and appearance of these vehicles differ from all other race boats. The length of Parunthuvalan varies from 28.25 to 32.25 koles and it accommodates 28 to 36 rowers.
Churulans are pleasure and they are considered to be the conveyance of rich people in older days. The Churulan Boats vary in length from 12.25 to 20.25 koles and their crew ranges from 10 to 36 of the entire race Boats, the most imposing picturesque and costly is the Chundan (Snake Boat). The stern of the Snake Boat rises about 15 feet from water level, and is embellished with exquisite ornamental designs in burnished brass and wood. The extent of elaborate and expensive ornamentation, characteristic of the local craftsmen’s skill , indicate the wealth and eminence of the owner of the boat ,Long and narrow ,the snake boats cut across the water with majesty and grace.
The race boats, in use in Kerala, have much a common with the war canoes of the old American Indian, the Maoris of New Zealand and some of aboriginal tribes of the tropical countries, especially in regard to the shape and build, and the manner and contrivances of propulsion.
Winners of the first edition of President's Trophy Boat Race is Sree Ganeshan Chundan(St. Francis Boat Club, Kollam). Runner up is Devas Chundan (Jesus Boat Club, Kollam).
In a toughly fought boat race, Sri Ganesh snake boat had won the coveted trophy and cash prize of 10 lakh rupees beating Devas snake boat that bagged the second prize.
Her Excellency the Honorable President of India, Smt.Pratibha Devisingh Patil gave away the President's Trophy and cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh to the winners.
Vallam Kali
Vallam Kali literally means boat race in Malayalam. It is the traditional boat race in Kerala It is mainly conducted during the season of the harvest festival Onam in autumn....
held on the Ashtamudi lake
Ashtamudi Lake
Ashtamudi Lake in the Kollam District of Kerala, India, is the second largest and deepest wetland ecosystem, a palm-shaped large water body, next only to the Vembanad estuary ecosystem of the state. Ashtamudi means 'eight coned' in the local language of Malayalam...
on Atham day which marks the start of Onam
Onam
Onam is a Hindu festival celebrated by the people of Kerala, India. The festival commemorates the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the legendary Emperor Mahabali. It falls during the month of Chingam and lasts for ten days...
Celebrations in Indian state of 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....
.
This is the most popular of the races to be held during the season of the harvest festival Onam
Onam
Onam is a Hindu festival celebrated by the people of Kerala, India. The festival commemorates the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the legendary Emperor Mahabali. It falls during the month of Chingam and lasts for ten days...
in Autumn on ashtamudi lake in Kollam
Kollam
Kollam , often anglicized as ', is a city in the Indian state of Kerala. The city lies on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake on the Arabian sea coast and is situated about north of the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram...
district of 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....
. It is an annual event extravaganza. The course of the boat race will be from the Thevally Bridge, across Ashtamudi Lake, to the Kollam boat jetty, near the Kollam Kerala State Road Transport Corporation KSRTC
KSRTC
KSRTC may refer to:* Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation* Kerala State Road Transport Corporation...
bus depot.
There would be races in five categories, namely Chundan Vallam (snake-boats), two grades of Veppu Vallam, and two grades of Iruttukuthi Vallam. The gold-plated trophy was being made at a cost of Rs.10 lakh. The conduct of the event is expected to cost Rs. two crore.
Sixteen snake-boats would compete in four heats. The racecourse will be the 1.2-km stretch of the lake from the Thevally Palace to Boat Jetty. There will be four tracks, each 10 metre wide.
The largest team sport in the world, the snake boat races are the major attraction of the event. As the oarsmen throw their oars in unison to the fast paced rhythm of the vanchipattu (Song of the Boatmen), the huge black crafts slice through pristine race course of Ashtamudi Lake to a spectacular finish. Hundreds of spectators, including tourists from abroad, thronging the lake front, erupts out of joy.
The trophy had been instituted in the name of the President of India. President of India will be present to witness the race and would also give away the trophy and cash prize to the winning team. With the distinction of being the only regatta on the country in the name of the President of India, it reflects the ethos of this land of backwaters.
About the event
Kollam the district is a miniature of Kerala in all its pomp and pride in tourism point of view. The Ashtamudi Lake – beautiful calm water spread with enchanting greenery on the blanks. Kollam is not included in any of tourism maps as a tourism destination.Considering Astamudi Lakes the main tourism centre in the district having immense potential to occupy a prominent place in the world tourism map, the District Administration and District Tourism Promotion Council decided to conduct a boat race in the name of Hon’ble President of India. Her Excellency the Hon’ble President of India will bless the occasion.
The venue is at Gateway of Ashtamudi – the boat jetty near bus station. The race will start from the water column near Thevally Palace and finishing point will be frond of the house boat terminal. The water body having 1250 m long in between these two points is scheduled as the Track for the race.
Boats
Chundan VallamChundan Vallam
Chundan Vallam , known to the outside world as Kerala snake boats, are one of the icons of Kerala culture used in the Vallamkali -Architecture:...
s are supposed to be Navy boats of Chempakasserry rules. It has got a length of more than a hundred feet and usually more than a hundred people are on board. Both the ends of the boats are raised from the water level. The rear end has a height of about twenty feet from the surface of the water. Nearly eighty six persons are rowers, ten to fifteen are to give the rhythm, four are to steer the vessels. It is to be specially noted that the chundans have the maximum maneuverability among all sorts of race boats. The Chundan (Snake Boat) variety of Race Boats usually 38.5 to 48.5 koles (One kole being equivalent to 24 inches) long and accommodates 100 to 150 persons.
Oadis or Eruttukuthies have a different origin. They were used for smuggling. It is to be noted that they are seen in plenty in the coastal areas near Cochin and suburbs. Their very design is for speed. Both the ends are alike. Maneuverability is little, practically nil. They are never turned and rowers. The Odi, also called Cheru Chundan, has a length of 28.25 to 32.25 koles and has 40 to 60 rowers.
Veppu Vallams (Paranthuvalans) are said to be boats that were used to carry stores for the soldiers on board and Chundans. Vaipu became Veppu by usage. Vaipu in Malayalam means cooking. The design and appearance of these vehicles differ from all other race boats. The length of Parunthuvalan varies from 28.25 to 32.25 koles and it accommodates 28 to 36 rowers.
Churulans are pleasure and they are considered to be the conveyance of rich people in older days. The Churulan Boats vary in length from 12.25 to 20.25 koles and their crew ranges from 10 to 36 of the entire race Boats, the most imposing picturesque and costly is the Chundan (Snake Boat). The stern of the Snake Boat rises about 15 feet from water level, and is embellished with exquisite ornamental designs in burnished brass and wood. The extent of elaborate and expensive ornamentation, characteristic of the local craftsmen’s skill , indicate the wealth and eminence of the owner of the boat ,Long and narrow ,the snake boats cut across the water with majesty and grace.
The race boats, in use in Kerala, have much a common with the war canoes of the old American Indian, the Maoris of New Zealand and some of aboriginal tribes of the tropical countries, especially in regard to the shape and build, and the manner and contrivances of propulsion.
Champions - first edition
Sree Ganesh ‘Chundan’ emerged as champions in the first edition of the President’s trophy boat race held on 30 August 2011 at Ashtamudi Lake. Devas ‘Chundan’ secured the second place. Altogether 16 snake boats participated in the eventWinners of the first edition of President's Trophy Boat Race is Sree Ganeshan Chundan(St. Francis Boat Club, Kollam). Runner up is Devas Chundan (Jesus Boat Club, Kollam).
In a toughly fought boat race, Sri Ganesh snake boat had won the coveted trophy and cash prize of 10 lakh rupees beating Devas snake boat that bagged the second prize.
Her Excellency the Honorable President of India, Smt.Pratibha Devisingh Patil gave away the President's Trophy and cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh to the winners.
Winners
| Year | Winners | Club | Captain |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Sree Ganesh Chundan | Saint Francis Boat Club | K Arun Kumar |
Patrons
- Chief Patron: Sri. OOMMEN CHANDY (Hon. Chief Minister of Kerala)
- Chairman: Sri. P.G. THOMAS IAS (District Collector of Kollam)
- General Convener: Sri. O. RAJU (District Magistrate of Kollam)
- Smt. Prasanna Earnest (Mayor, Corporation of Kollam)
Other renowned boat races in Kerala
- Nehru Trophy Boat RaceNehru Trophy Boat RaceThe 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 . Hence the...
- Champakulam Moolam Boat RaceChampakulam Moolam Boat RaceThe Champakulam Moolam Boat Race is the oldest and most popular vallam kali in Kerala state of south India. The race is held on the river Pampa on Moolam day of the Malayalam month Midhunam, the day of the installation of the deity at the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple.-The legend:It is said...
- Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkali
- Payippad Jalotsavam
- Kumarakom Boat Race
- Kallada Boat RaceKallada Boat RaceThe Kallada Jalotsavam is a popular Vallam Kali held on the Kallada River at Munroe Thuruthu on 28 days after Onam in Indian state of Kerala.The boat race is conducted along the straight portion of Kallada River...
- Indira Gandhi Boat RaceIndira Gandhi Boat RaceThe Indira Gandhi Boat Race is an annual boat race conducted in Kochi, Kerala, India. It is conducted in the last week of December in the Lake of Kochi, by the Department of Tourism of the state of Kerala. This boat race is one of the most popular vallam Kali in Kerala...