These snaps were taken at the annual traditional boat (paddled war canoe) race held on the second Saturday of August, in Alleppey (Kerala, India) during the season of the harvest festival of Onam.
The Snake Boats (Chundan Vallams) have the record of being the biggest water vessel used for sports purposes. It is the sporting event that has the highest number of members in a single team. Usually a snake boat is manned by 4 helsmen, 25 cheerers / singers and 100 - 125 oarsmen who row in unison to the fast rhytmn of the boatmen's song.
This famed boat race can be likened to the bull fights in Spain. The vigour of the Spanish matadors, who hail from various villages with their fighter bulls, is evident in the Vallam teams that hail from the surrounding Kerala countryside.
To read more about the race and see all the images in this project visit us at http://blackstallionphotography.wordpress.com
The Snake Boats (Chundan Vallams) have the record of being the biggest water vessel used for sports purposes. It is the sporting event that has the highest number of members in a single team. Usually a snake boat is manned by 4 helsmen, 25 cheerers / singers and 100 - 125 oarsmen who row in unison to the fast rhytmn of the boatmen's song.
This famed boat race can be likened to the bull fights in Spain. The vigour of the Spanish matadors, who hail from various villages with their fighter bulls, is evident in the Vallam teams that hail from the surrounding Kerala countryside.
To read more about the race and see all the images in this project visit us at http://blackstallionphotography.wordpress.com
A typical Snake Boat.
Contestants lining up before the race.
The rowers row in unison to the beat of the boatmen's song - 'Thei Thei Thei Thei Thithai Thakathaithaithom Thithithara Thithithara Thithai Thakathaithaithom'...
...with sheer determination...
...and Strength.
The rowers in action...
...with utmost concentration and the burning desire to win.
A Snake Boat speeding to the finish line.
Closer and closer they get...
...as they make their final dash to the race finish.
