Ayaparambu Pandi Chundan | A Snake Boat's Journey

Ayaparambu Pandi Chundan, belongs to the residents of two neighbouring villages in Alappuzha district - Ayaparambu and Pandi. Snake boat race loving residents of both villages banded together for the formation of the Ayaparambu Pandi Boat Club. The team competed in many races on rented boats. In 1995, the villagers pooled in resources to build a boat of their own. The Ayaparambu Pandi Chundan started its debut with a win at the Pallana Jalolsavam (water fest). But the boat was irrevocably damaged during 1997's Payippad boat race.

After a long wait of over a decade, the villagers came together to build a new snake boat in 2010. The new Ayaparambu Pandi Chundan was different in design and was launched in 2012. But it failed to make an impact in competitions. So, in 2016, the snake boat was refurbished. After that Ayaparambu Pandi Chundan has been registering impressive performances in various events.

Other Snake Boats

Karuvatta Chundan

Karuvatta village in Alappuzha district is home to two snake boats with similar names, owned by two rival organisations.Residents of Karuvatta bought the Pacha Chundan in 1976 and named it after their village. The boat underwent major repairs in 2009 and 2015. Apart from the funds amassed by the stakeholders, Kerala Tourism also supported the efforts with a grant. The boat is currently owned by 240 stakeholders. The Karuvatta Chundan is 123 feet long and it can hold 100 people.On its debut after the repairs, the snake boat came second in the Nehru Trophy championship.Meanwhile, a group of youngsters initiated the building of a new snake boat. The work commenced in December 2024. And the plan is to build a boat that can hold 83 paddlers. The new boat is expected to make its debut in the 2025 Nehru Trophy.

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Valiya Diwanji

Valiya Diwanji Chundan is one of the most popular snake boats in Kerala. Named after Diwan Rajakesavadasan, the architect of Alappuzha city, the Valiya Diwanji Chundan was built in 1928. The boat was owned by the NSS (Nair Service Society) unit at Nedumudi in Alappuzha district. The boat is currently owned by the NSS unit in Ayaparambu.The 125-feet boat could carry 107 people including 91 paddlers, 5 steersmen and 11 choristers.Valiya Diwanji has been participating in the Nehru Trophy since the beginning of the championship. Since the boat was owned by Nedumudi village it was also known as Nedumudi Thekkemuri Chundan.Valiya Diwanji won its maiden Nehru Trophy in 1979, 50 years after its debut. They repeated the win in 1981. The boat won in other major events too. Victories became rare as the boat got older which led to the decision to build a new boat. The new Valiya Diwanji Chundan was launched in July 2016. The vessel earned praise for its beauty and craftsmanship.The 128-feet snake boat can carry 88 paddlers, 5 steersmen, 7 choristers and two idikkar (rhythmic pole beaters). With various wins including the Champakulam Rajapramukhan trophy, the Valiya Diwanji is aiming for another victory at the Nehru Trophy championship.

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Nadubhagam Chundan

The Nadubhagam Chundan was the winner of the inaugural Nehru Trophy race in 1952. And it also has an intriguing origin story - rife with rivalry, hurt pride and competitiveness.Nadubhagam and Amichakary were two villages in Champakulam at Alappuzha district's Kuttanad area. Both villages had boat clubs and they used to take turns rowing the Champakulam Chundan for local competitions. But in 1927, Amichakary denied Nadubhagam the chance to compete in the Champakulam Moolam Boat Race. Humiliated and enraged, Nadubhagam villagers complained to the Travancore Diwan M E Watts. He assisted them in buying a palliyodam (a type of snake boat). After a few refurbishments, the Nadubhagam Chundan was ready for the backwater battles.In 1940, Nadubhagam retired the old boat and built a new one. After their victory in 1952, Nadubhagam Chundan failed to lift the cup despite reaching the finals 36 times. The boat was refurbished in 1986 and 1996, but victory still eluded them. As the ageing vessel had lost its edge, Nadubhagam residents decided to build a new one in 2014.The new snake boat was able to break the jinx and it lifted the Nehru Trophy title in 2019. The new Nadubhagam Chundan continues its winning streak in other major events.

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Payippad Chundan

The history of snake boat race in Kerala is deeply linked to the history of Payippad Chundan. The village of Payippad in Alappuzha district has been competing in various races on their own chundan for over a century.Payippad first bought a snake boat named Gopalakrishnan, but it didn't last long. So, the villagers built a new boat, but this vessel couldn't win a single Nehru Trophy and was eventually sold off.Payippad built a new boat, which won back to back Nehru Trophy races from 2005 to 2007, recording a hat-trick. They had to wait till 2018 for the next win. In 2023, Payippad commissioned the construction of a new snake boat, which was completed in 10 months. The Payippad Puthen Chundan is 126 feet long and 5 feet wide. It can hold 91 paddlers, 5 steersmen and 9 choristers.

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