‘KETTU_VALLANGAL’

The Dutch encouraged cultivation of various crops for export to the markets in the West; the cash generated helped the ‘Malayalis’ to import various goods. The ‘Kettu-Vallangal’, large boats or vessels with arched cabin, were used for the transport of cargo to the ports and the markets within the state through the Vembanad ‘Kayal’.  The introduction of large domestic crafts to transport cargo was the first great age of progress. 

We used to  observe a lot of ‘Kettu-Vallangal’ in the Vembanad ‘Kayal’, coming from Kollam, Edathua, Changanassery, Kottayam and Alleppy heading towards Mattancherry where they would unload articles for trade like - paddy, spices, copra and coconut oil, coir and coir products, plantain bunches, tapioca, cashew and other goods. They would return home with loads to their respective hometowns; which include kerosene, cement, cloth, provisions such as sugar, salt, potatoes, carrot, beet-root, big and small onions, dried chilly, and coriander. I had noticed that these ‘Kettu-Vallangal’ always took advantage of the ebb and flow in the ‘Vembanad Kayal’. This along with the help of the wind would make for a comfortable, fast and smooth sail of their vessels which were controlled by their oarsmen at the back. If they were at a disadvantage they would take rest near the shore or slowly move the vessel forward by pushing it with the help of a long bamboo pole. Sometimes they made use of a barge, a small motor boat, to pull some ‘Kettu-Vallangal’ one behind the other to their destinations. By doing so, they saved both time and energy.

I remember Chavaro Chakkalackal, the veteran oarsman of our island. He used to transport goods in a large vessel from Ernakulam Market regularly every Monday and Friday, the market days.  He catered to the requirement of the provision shop owners and other valuable customers.

When remote villages were later connected by railways, national highways and other road net works, heavy trucks substituted ‘Kettu-Vallangal’ to transport goods faster by road. Then ‘Kettu-Vallangal’ found a use in tourism industry as house-boats for comfortable cruise and for overnight stay in the Vembanad ‘Kayal’ especially in the Alleppy and Kuttanad regions.

Excerpts from

MEMOIRS

by

Joseph J. Thayamkeril

Lawyer, Kochi, Kerala, India.

josephjthayamkeril@gmail.com