A poem recited by the instant poet laureate, describing the 'sights & sounds' around the race venue where Kerala's famous annual regatta "Nehru Trophy" boat races are held in true rustic and festival settings. Over half a million spectators, among them an increasing number of tourists, gather on both sides of the 1.5 Km long picturesque course to watch the races of about 100 wooden paddling boats of unique sizes, shapes and capacities. The exact replicas of the traditional marine fleet of the maharajahs of the 1400s, the long and towering Chundan, the big Veppu, the fast Odi, Iruttukuthy, Churulan, and several small boats compete in separate categories. There are races for the women as well. The women paddlers from several foreign nationalities join the local women on the same boat in international friendship, cordiality and spirit. The regatta is the festival of over 900 farming communities who live in separate villages situated around 2 lakes, 14 rivers, and numerous canal networks. Passionate watersports enthusiasts from other parts of India and around the world come to watch. Some foreign nationals come weeks early, stay at local homes, practice, and take part in the competitions as one community. The regatta is one of many 'superlatives' in its count, size, paddling capacities, categories, and spectator viewership.
At the same venue, 64 unique officially recognized Kerala art forms are enacted in a spirit of "Renaissance", beside the other product and technology exhibitions. It is similar to the October fest, and other harvest festivals around the world. But this one takes place in the water, on the serene waterway of the scenic lake in the town of Alapuzha, Kerala state, which is situated along the South Western most coastline of India.
At the Vallam Kali Regatta
The poet describes the ecosystem, the rustic lifestyle, community spirit, camaraderie, and the zest of the inhabitants of the regions of the two Vembanad & Ashtamudi lakes. The actions & behaviour of the excited fans are given in a hilarious account in great detail. He narrates the beauty of the land, its flora, fauna, fowl, the posh bungalows on the banks of the water routes, coconut groves, banana plantations, as well as the many thick growths of tropical vegetations in poetic discernment and characteristic style. Further away, he sees the farmers toiling in the many blocks of muddy paddy fields lying below the MSL, that were reclaimed by the ancestors from the bottom of the lake by sheer grit and manpower resources alone. He salutes them for the noble work of growing the grains to feed humanity; chronicles the many struggles and natural catastrophes often befall upon them without respite. Above all, he recounts the joyful harvest season and describes the picturesque venue where the regatta takes place today.