VANCHIPATTU / VALLAPATTU

Several boat songs of high literary quality and musical charm have been especially composed for being sung during boat races.  The loud singing of the boat songs by groups of people each knowing his part perfectly, joining in just at the proper moment, without hitch, provides delight and encouragement to the rowers and the lookers on.  The best known VANCHIPATTU (Boat song) a Classic in Malayalam literature so full of Iyrical charms and high poetry is Ramapurathu Variar's KUCHELA VRITHAM. Interesting and intriguing are the circumstances in which this boat song came to be composed by a Soverign, Ramapurathu Variar, a poet, liberally favoured by the Muse, but emaciated by poverty, was advised by his friends to pay his respects to the then Ruler of Travancore, who had come to the Vaikkom Temple for worship.  When the poet reached Vaikkom on foot, greatly tried and actually starving, he saw to his absolute disapointment and agony, that the Maharaja was about to embark on the Royal Boat on the return journey to the Capital.  The haggard and pity-evoking appearance of the poet caught the searching eye of the Ruler, a patron of arts and letters.  

A patron of arts and letters. The Royal Master summoned Variar into the boat which the poet did with alacrity. On being told that Ramapurathu Variar was an indigent but devoted scholar poet, the Maharajah commanded him to sing a suitable Boat song, to the accompaniment of which the oars man could row. Without feeling fatigue, the poet began to sing the story of KUCHELA VRITHAM, Kuchela's visit to Sri Krishna. The story was indeed, most appropriate, for Variar like Kuchela, was the poorest and the neediest human being, and the Maharajah, like Lord Krishna, was blessed with all wealth, pomp and power. The story goes that the song KUCHELA VRITHAM which began to be sung at Vaickom, ended when the Royal Boat reached Trivandrum Landing Ghat. The Maharaja realised the plight of his subject, the modern Kuchela, and proved himself to be a veritable Sri Krishna by honouring the poet with riches and awards. 

KUCHELA VRITHAM , a short, exquisite, narrative lyrical poem, sung in the row boat tune, is the most popular and heart touching of the Boat Songs, in vogue. With 32 mantras in each line, this boat tune conforms to the meter of the other popular paddle boat tunes, which too have 32 Mantras to the line. The tune is full of life and vigour and well suited for the purpose. KUCHELA VRITHAM was composed in the first half of the tenth century M.E. The most popular of the folk songs in Kerala are the Boatman's Songs of which there is a rich variety, the rhythm of each type of song varying with the speed of the boat. The text of these beautiful and appealing songs incorporates traditional stories, legends, satire, local gossip and witticisms, all of rustic simplicity.

Listen to VANCHIPATTU

Sample Song 1
Sample song 2
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