Chundan Vallam

Chundan Vallam (Beaked Boat), known to the outside world as Kerala snake boats, are one of the icons of Kerala culture used in the Vallamkali (boat race.)

Snake boats during the Aranmula Uthrattathi Boat Race

Architecture

Constructed according to specifications taken from the Sthapathya Veda, an ancient treatise for the building of wooden boats, these boats vary from 100 to 138 ft in length. With the rear portion towering to a height of about 20 ft., and a long tapering front portion, it resembles a snake with its hood raised. Its hull is built of planks precisely 83 feet in length and six inches wide.

Traditions & customs

Traditionally each boat belongs to a village, and the villagers worship that boat like a deity. Only men are allowed to touch the boat, and to show respect they should be barefooted. To make the boat slippery while in the water, it is oiled with a mixture of fish oil, coconut shell carbon and eggs. Repair work is done annually by the village carpenter.

Capacity and usage

Traditionally it will be commanded by a Kaarnavan / Karanaadhan village leader) with First Adanayampu and under him there will be three main oarsmen who control the movement of the boat with a 12-foot-long (3.7 m) main rudder-oar (Adanayampu). Sitting two to a row along the length of the boat, there will be 64 oarsmen, representing 64 art forms (or on occasion 128 oarsmen.) They row in rhythm of the vanchipattu (boatman's song.) There will be around 25 singers in a row at the middle between the oarsmen. In the middle of the second half of the boat is a platform for eight people to stand from where the main singer will lead the song. They represent the Ashtadikpalakas (the Devas or Gods who guard the eight directions.) A colourful and decorated umbrella also will be there.

See also

• Aranmula Boat Race
• Aranmula Kannadi
• Kallada Boat Race

External links

• http://www.sohanroy.com/projects.php?a=chundan - Aries Punnamada Chundan - An innovative project by Aries
• http://www.sohanroy.com/gallery.php?id=13 - Photo gallery of Aries Punnamada Chundan's inauguration
• http://www.ariesmar.com/ Aries Marine & Engineering Services constructed the innovative design of Aries Punnamada Chundan
• Chundan Vallam list Details of different chundan vallam (snake boats) in kerala

• http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=474665&sid=LIF 'Uruku Chundan'- news (Kerala's longest snake boat in Guinness Book)
• http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/09/29/stories/2008092950501500.htm 'Uruku Chundan'- news (Kerala's longest snake boat in Guinness Book)
• http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Sep292008/national2008092892604.asp Steel snake boat enters Guinness book (Aries Punnamada Urukku Chundan )
• http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/54712/ Aries Chundan to enter Guinness Book of World Records
• http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?gid=328&id=612852 Steel Snake boat from Kerala enters Guinness book of records
• http://www.amazingworldrecordsnews.com/2008/05/first-ever-snake-boat-made-of-steel.html The First Ever Snake Boat Made of Steel is to Enter the Guinness Book of World Records
• http://bignews.big927fm.com/big_news_detail.asp?nid=36166&catid=3&selcity=22 Aries Chundan(snakeboat) sets Guinness record
• http://www.newspostonline.com/national/Kerala%27%20longest%20snake%20boat%20enters%20Guinness%20book%20of%20world%20records-200810088203

Kerala's longest snake boat enters Guinness book of world records (Aries Punnamada Urukku Chundan )

• http://www.zonkerala.com/gallery/general/snake-boats/aries-chundan-5980.html Aries Punnamada Urukku Chundan- photographs
• http://www.mynews.in/fullstory.aspx?storyid=10647 Steel snake boat enters Guinness book (Aries Punnamada Urukku Chundan )
• http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20080927/1064261.html Aries Chundan sets Guinness record for carrying maximum crew
• http://www.simplymalayalees.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=551 World Record, 'Aries Chundan' Steel Snake Boat
• http://marinebiztv.wordpress.com/2008/09/26/ Aries Steel Snake Boat finds place in the Guinness Book of World Records
• http://video.aol.in/video-detail/aries-chundan-vallam/2563868053/?icid=VIDURVMUS08 A musical album on Aries Punnamada Urukku Chundan
• http://marinebiztv.blogspot.com/2008/09/aries-steel-snake-boat-finds-place-in.html Aries Steel Snake Boat finds place in the Guinness Book of World Records
• http://romins.in/2007/12/punnamada-chundan_28.html Aries Punnamada Chundan, an initiative of the Aries Group of Companies (longest Snake Boat)
• http://video.aol.in/video-detail/aries-chundan/3556455128 News on Aries Punnamada Chundan (longest Snake Boat)
• http://www.artkerala.com/node/5466 Steel Snake boat (Chundan Vallam) from Kerala enters Guinness book of world records
• http://videosfromindia.smashits.com/view/4348/snake-boat-of-kerela-enters-guinness-book A video on Aries Punnamada Chundan (longest Snake Boat)entering Guinness Book of world records.