Kettuvallam

Kettuvallam is a house boat widely used in the Indian state of Kerala. These have thatched roof covers over wooden hulls.Ayub, Akber (ed), "Kerala: Maps & More", "Backwaters", 2006 edition 2007 reprint, p. 47, Stark World Publishing, Bangalore, ISBN 81-902505-2-3] The traditional kettuvallam is mainly used for promoting Kerala tourism.cite web| url =http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/lf/2002/03/11/stories/2002031100370200.htm
title = Cruiing along in designer boats| accessdate = 2008-01-06 | last = Radhakrishnan| first = A.Anil | work = | publisher = The Hindu, 11 March 2002 ]

Etymology

In the Malayalam language "kettu" means tying and “vallam” means country boat – the two together make the local name "kettuvallam”. Each houseboat is constructed using the ancient principles and techniques of boat building by the local carpenters using ‘Anjali` wood. Coir ropes are used for tying the wooden boards together.cite web | url = http://www.kettuvallam.com/Content-22/MODERN-HOUSEBOATS.html| title = Modern Houseboats| accessdate = 2008-01-05 | last = | first = | work = | publisher = Worldviewer]

History

Boats in a variety of shapes and sizes have traditionally been the main means of transport of men and materials in the Kerala Backwaters since olden days.In particular, the house boats were used to ship rice and spices and other goods between Kuttanad and the Cochin port. It was a three-day affair those days. A standard house boat, which could be about 100 feet long, can hold up to 30 tons, and that is as much as three big lorries can.cite web | url =http://www.kettuvallam.com/Content-16/Kerala-Houseboat.html | title = Cargo boats| accessdate = 2008-01-05 | last = | first = | work = | publisher = Worldviewer ] For the royalty these boats even became comfortable living quarters.It was the important mode of transportation in coastal Kerala just because of its accessibility to the most remote areas. However, the scenario changed. Motorized road, rail and air transportation scored over the slow and staid country boat, with people opting for speed. cite web | url = http://www.keralaeverything.com/kett.htm | title = Kettuvallam House Boat in Kerala | accessdate = 2008-01-05 | last = | first = | work = | publisher = keralaeverything ] It took the vision and enterpreneurship of a couple of enterprising young men to refurbish one of these leviathans, hoisting on to it a wooden super-structure incorporating a huge bed room, a toilet, a kitchenette and an open balcony. The ancient houseboat with a modernized interior became a hot favourite with tourists. As the houseboats glide over the Kerala backwaters at a leisurely pace, the sights are new, the sounds are new, and every sensation is new every passing moment. The tourists, with foreigners in large numbers, have helped not only to revive the good old kettuvallams but even make it popular. [cite web | url = http://www.kumarakomhouseboat.com/houseboats.html | title = Kettuvallom Houseboats | accessdate = 2008-01-05 | last = | first = | work = | publisher = kumaskomhouseboats ]

Construction

A kettuvallam is about 67 feet in length and has a width of around 13 feet in the middle. The materials that go into the making are local and ecofriendly; bamboo poles, coconut fibre, ropes, bamboo mats, carpets etc. The main wood used is "Anjili" ("Artocarpus hirsuta"). There are houseboats with fully furnished single room, double room and triple rooms. [cite web | url = http://www.indiatravelite.com/accommodations/keralahouseboat.htm
title = Kerala House Boat | accessdate = 2008-01-05 | last = | first = | work = Alleppey | publisher = India Travelite ]

The hull is a series of wooden planks, long cut and carved, tied together using coir with coconut fibers stuffed in between.The hull which is made of hundreds of fine but heavy-duty planks of jack-wood is held together absolutely by coir knots (not a single nail is used). This framework is then coated with a caustic black resin extracted from boiled cashew kernels. And it lasts for generations.cite web | url =http://www.keralatravels.com/houseboat/ | title = Unforgettable house boat ride| accessdate = 2008-01-05 | last = | first = | work = Alleppey | publisher = Travel Division of Kerala.com] The kettuvallam is motorised and is steered in deep waters by means of oars. Long bamboo poles or 'punts' are used to propel in shadow areas. Bamboo beams sprouting off on the sides are used as foot holds for the same. Bamboo is used for the framework of the roof and splits of bamboo are used for weaving mat for roofing.

Basically the kettuvallam was designed to transport cargo and as such many design changes had to be made to make it a tourist vehicle. The height of the roof was increased to get sufficient headroom. A plank was laid all through the length to reduce the disadvantages of the curved shape of the hull for walking and comfortable seating. Windows and other openings were provided for light, airflow and view. The entrance is provided in the centre of the linear axis with a top hung panel.

Most of the latest designs have incorporated 3 bedrooms with toilets, a living space and kitchen. There, of course, are variations. Some have a lesser number of bedrooms but with a large living space and maybe a deck balcony at the roof level. Normally, the platforms that cantilever from the hull are used as balconies. Innovative changes have been made to accommodate modern fittings. For fixing the toilet seats, shower tray and ceramic floor finish a concrete slab is laid at the floor level. The soil outlets of the toilet seats are taken through the hull and let out to the flowing water beneath. The water for use is stored in a plastic tank kept at the top portion of the main body connecting to the kitchen and toilets. The pipes, tank and other synthetic materials are covered with coir or panambu to maintain the aesthetic quality of the eco-friendly materials.

Modern house boats have been designed to meet the Green Palm/Gold Star Certifications by the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala, which has recently enacted regulations, stipulating the standards of Kerala houseboats or Kettuvallams.

Fibreglass

Years ago, A. G. Sudhakaran built steel fishing and Kochi's first-ever `junkar' that plied between Fort Kochi and Vypeen. Subsequently, Samudra Shipyard (P) Limited, Aroor, managed by his sons, has given shape to another innovative holiday idea - a traditional kettuvallam made out of fibreglass. This is the first of its kind in India. [cite web | url =http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2006/05/22/stories/2006052201120100.htm
title = It’s fibreglass and traditional| accessdate = 2008-01-06 | last = Priyadershini| first = S. | work = | publisher = The Hindu, 22 May 2006 ]

Tourism

Kerala was placed among the `50 destinations of a lifetime' by National Geographic Traveler in a special collectors' issue released just before the turn of the millennium. [cite web | url = http://www.hinduonnet.com/businessline/2000/07/13/stories/111302c4.htm
title = Going beyond God’s own country| accessdate = 2008-01-08 | last = Mathew | first = Mony K. | work = | publisher = The Hindu Business Line, 13 July 2000]

The Hindu wrote, “A cruise along the mirror-still lagoons, picture-book lakeside, palm-fringed canals and shimmering rivulets of `God's Own Country' is the most enchanting holidaying experience in the country. With a cruise along the palm-fringed waterways turning to be part and parcel of holidayers' itinerary, the traditional kettuvallam has emerged as the mascot of Kerala Tourism.”

More than 400 kettuvallams ply the backwaters. [cite web | url = http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2005103101070300.htm&date=2005/10/31/&prd=mp& | title = Eco-friendly boats to ply backwaters| accessdate = 2008-01-06 | last = Abraham | first = Tanya | work = | publisher = The Hindu, 31 October 2005 ] Alappuzha is the citadel of house boats. There are some 120 of them, well maintained and perfected as luxury liners there. The house boats have all the creature comforts of a good hotel: well-furnished bedrooms, modern hygienic toilets, cosy living rooms, a beautiful kitchen and in some cases even a balcony for angling.The crew of a kettuvallam comprises two oarsmen and a cook.Fresh food, cooked in inimitable Kuttanadan style is the rage of the international tourists.

Tour operators have been coming out with innovative options. The Kannur District Tourism Council has launched a `Nadi Darshan' (river viewing) programme in association with a private resort at Kattampalli as an initiative to popularise the kettuvallam for tourism promotion and as effort to let people know more about the Valapattanam River, one of the largest rivers in the region and the life stream of the district. [cite web | url =http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2006031314030300.htm&date=2006/03/13/&prd=th& | title = Valapattanam attracting tourists| accessdate = 2008-01-06 | last = | first = | work = | publisher = The Hindu, 13 March 2006 ]

A sea-food eatery has been opened in a kettuvallam on Kaloor- Kadvanthra Road. [cite web | url =http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2007121350890300.htm&date=2007/12/13/&prd=mp& | title = Fish on the boat eating out| accessdate = 2008-01-06 | last = Priyadershini| first = S. | work = | publisher = The Hindu, 13 December 2007 ]

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