Nehru Trophy: Women rowers all set to make waves in Thekkanody boats

Alappuzha: Women rowers are once again making their presence felt at the Nehru Trophy Boat Race this year, determined to ensure that the grand festival of boat races is no longer a male-dominated arena. Women will take part in six boats under the Thekkanodythara and Kettu categories. Each Thekkanody boat will have over 30 women rowers. In addition, five men, three handling the pankayam (paddle) and two on thalam (rhythm), too will be allowed on board. However, those holding the paddles cannot row or steer the boat. Participants are required to wear a tracksuit and jersey.

Thekkanody boats
According to old-timers, Thekkanody boats were once used in rituals and processions. Folklore, however, suggests that they originated from the excitement of fishing workers in Karthikapally taluk, who were unable to join the frenzy of snake boat races in Upper Kuttanad and Kuttanad. Local races featuring Thekkanody boats soon gained popularity, with a bunch of bananas often awarded as the prize.

Kettu, Thara
Thekkanody boats enjoy a large fan following in the Karthikapally region, much like the famed snake boats. Among the oldest and most revered are Kattil Thekkethu and Chellikkadan, considered the ‘patriarchs’ of the Thekkanody tradition. Originally, these boats with attached paddles were rowed backwards, a pattern that later changed with the rise of competitive racing.

Structurally, Thekkanody boats have coiled Aniyam (bow) and Amaram (stern) resembling snake boats. The difference in construction has given rise to two types of Thekkanodi boats, called Thara and Kettu.Thara boats are built by joining wooden planks using iron and copper nails along with adhesive.

Kettu boats, on the other hand, are crafted by fastening thick wooden planks tightly with ropes. Holes are bored into the planks for the ropes and these are sealed with coconut fibre and adhesive. Once fastened, the rope ends are trimmed, and the holes packed tightly to prevent water seepage. Due to this secure fastening, the ropes remain firm. Compared to Thara boats, Kettu boats are heavier and broader, making them slower in speed.

SAI team
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) team, which boasts immense international rowing experience, first entered the women’s boat race in 2023. Competing in the Kattilthekkethil boat, they clinched victory in the Thekkanody Thara category in their very first appearance.

This year’s participants
Thekkanody Kettu Boat (listed by boat, club, and captain)
Padinjareparamban, Young Star Boat Club – S Sukanya
Kattil Thekkethil, Anshwara Boat Club – Bindu Vinod
Company, Aishwarya Boat Club – Shanimol Shaji
Chellikkadan, Janitha Memorial Boat Club – V.S. Athulya
Thekkanody Thara Boats; 
 Kattilthekkethil, SAI NCOE – Sreelakshmi Jayaprakash
Saradhi, Ponpulari Boat Club – Anusree Anilkumar