Vallam Kali

Vallam Kali is the traditional Kerala boat race, held mostly during the harvest festival of Onam (August–September). Long narrow snake-boats (chundan vallam), some over 30 metres long and crewed by up to 140 oarsmen, race on the backwaters to the driving rhythm of drums, cymbals and the vanchipattu (oarsman's song). Major races include the Nehru Trophy at Alappuzha and the Aranmula Uthrattadi race.