Which traditional Indian water sport is prominent in Kerala and involves racing boats?Vallam kali (vaḷḷaṃ kaḷi, literally: boat game), also known as snake boat race, is a traditional boat race held in the Punnamada Lake of Kerala, India. It is a form of canoe racing and uses paddled war canoes. It is mainly conducted in spring during the season of the harvest festival Onam. Vallam kali, translating to boat game, is a traditional boat race in Kerala that is mainly conducted during Onam, the harvest festival in September.Vallam Kali or Vallamkaliy 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.Chundan vallam (‘beaked boat’), known outside Kerala as Kerala snake boats, are one of the icons of Kerala culture used in the Vallamkali or boat race.
Which sport is Kerala famous for?
Football is one of the most popular sports in Kerala. Malabar, the northern region of Kerala, is the main powerhouse of Kerala football, It was introduced to the land of Kerala during the pre-independence period by British officers of the Malabar Special Police (MSP) in the 20th century. Football is the most popular sport in Kerala, India, followed by cricket.
What is the legendary boat race of Kerala called?
The Valam Kali boat race, commonly known as “Vallam Kali,” is a boat race athoped to be conducted in the Kerala state of India, backwaters. This is Vallam Kali – Kerala’s legendary snake boat race – a tradition that is equal parts sport, spectacle, and spiritual celebration. In August and September 2025, three of the biggest races will once again turn God’s Own Country into a stage for one of India’s most thrilling cultural experiences.
What are the Kerala boats called?
Traditional boats called kettuvallam (made by tying pieces of wood together with coir rope, made from coconut fibres) collected the cargo from isolated villages along the waterways and carried it to traders in town. Kettuvallam are traditional boats of Kerala which are mainly used in the backwaters. In Malayalam, ‘kettu’ means ‘to tie’ and ‘vallam’ means ‘boat’ which refers to their construction method. Traditionally, it is made of wooden planks (wooden pieces/planks tied with coconut ropes/coir).