Of the many snake boat races that take place in Kerala, Champakulam is one of the oldest. Legend has it that once, when a king was on his way to install an idol of Lord Krishna at a distant temple, he sought shelter with a family at nightfall. The family not only welcomed them, but treated the king and his idol with utmost respect. Not just that, at daybreak, the family accompanied them and the entire village partook in the celebrations. The king was moved by the show of devotion and respect by his subjects, in Champakulam and thus announced an annual celebration in the village that would be attended by people from far and wide.
Today, the Champakulam boat races take place amidst much fanfare and media presence. New traditions have been adding to this event, as and when something happens. For example, once when Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru was the Prime Minister, he had come to witness the boat race. So thrilled was he, that he awarded the winning team with a medal. Since then, the Nehru medal is awarded to every winning team, each year.
Apart from the thrill of the race, the Champakulam Boat race is also known for the excellent music! The moment the race commences, the oarsmen get rowing and the people begin to sing traditional songs. This is not just any music, every boat has 25 oarsmen who sing throughout the race. This sets the rhythm for the oars to move – the faster the singing, the faster the rowing.
It is no ordinary sight to witness hundreds of men on large snake boats, rowing in sync with one another, to the rhythm of music. These oarsmen train throughout the year to win this race.
The Champakulam Boat Race is not simply a race. It is much more than that. With processions to introduce the teams to cultural shows and song and dance events, this becomes a festival on its own. The fact that people from afar come to watch this race and people of all communities, regardless of religion, community and caste come to partake in the celebrations is a matter of great pride and happiness for the people of Champakulam.
