ALAPPUZHA: Karichal Chundan, the famous snake boat which won the prestigious Nehru Trophy Boat Race a record 15 times, is slated to hit the Vembanad waters again on Friday, and boat race buffs can’t be more eager. The people of Karichal village in Kuttanad, who collectively own the boat, have made elaborate preparations for its relaunch.
“Karichal Chundan is a passion of the village. Launched in 1970, it won the Nehru Boat Race 15 times, setting a record,” said Robin Chacko, Chundan Valla Samithi’s secretary.
As to why the boat’s ownership belongs to the entire village, Robin elaborated, “For the boat’s construction, every person here chipped in Rs 50, a huge sum in the 70s. The doyen of snake boat construction, Koilmukku Narayanan Achari, led its construction. In 2020, the old boat was replaced with a new one after spending Rs 50 lakh.
After the construction, it was found that there was something askew about its stability.
So the boat was withdrawn from events, and the Chundan Valla Samithi decided to reconstruct it again, spending Rs 35 lakhs,” Robin said, adding: “Soilmukku Sabu Achari was roped in to see to the final works four months ago.” The new Chundan is 52 feet long and 52 ‘angulam’ (62 inches) wide.
Seventy-eight rowers, five pankayakkar, and seven nilakkar can row the boat. Musician Sreekumarn Thambi will launch it at 10am.