Kerala - Kochi   

Snakeboat adds to heritage charm

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: A 107-year-old palliyodam (snakeboat) has been drawing crowds to an antique shop in Mattancherry, during the past two days.

A veteran of snakeboat races and a winner of many, the 106-feet-long Aranmula Palliyodam was tucked into Heritage Arts, which was initially a godown spread around 10,000 square feet in the heritage town. It was brought here through the Pamba river, Thakazhi and Chenganoor. Two lorries hauled the boat from the Mattancherry backwaters. The palliyodam, owned by the Aranmula Karayogam, was used in the annual procession of the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple.

The owner of the antique shop N.B. Majnu says that it took over 70 people to haul the boat into the shop. The ends of the boat can be seen from either side of the Jew Street. The boat used to carry 64 oarsmen, in addition to three in front and six at the rear. Quite reluctant to spell out the price for the boat, Mr. Majnu says that it is a priceless possession.

"I do not intend to sell it. It will remain with the antiques. This is the second snakeboat to be pulled up to the land as an exhibit. The first one was dismantled into three parts and taken to a Bhopal museum," he said For tourists used to seeing Kerala's traditional snakeboats in contest and in miniature forms, it is a rare occasion to see and feel one son close.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Concern over quality of potable water as Kallarkutty silt hits Periyar
Recipe for clean development
Corporation not to dump waste at Brahmapuram
Antony: PSUs will be strengthened
Snakeboat adds to heritage charm
Showcasing tribal culture
Quizzing their way to glory
Row over bid to dump waste
Around the City
In Kochi Today

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu