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Houseboats ( Kettuvalloms ) of Kerela |
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The Houseboats of Kerala are giant
country crafts, measuring up to 80 feet in length, retrieved from
being lost to the State altogether. Once they ruled the backwaters,
poled along by one or two men, heavily loaded with rice, coconut and
other commodities. But in the recent times, the kettuvalloms
have been replaced by more and modern modes of transport, relegating
them to neglect and decay. |
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It takes great skill and meticulousness
to construct these giant Houseboats by tying huge planks of jack wood
together. Curiously enough, not a single nail is used in their
making of a houseboat. There used to be an entire clan of artisans
who were involved in kettuvallom construction. Today, an innovative
holiday idea has restored these majestic representatives of a unique
culture and with them their makers.The Kerala houseboats that cruise
these emerald waterways are an improvisation on the large country
barges which were an essential part of the land's ethos in days gone
by. |
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Modified to meet a novel concept of holidaying,
the kettuvalloms ( houseboats ) are comfortably furnished with an open lounge,
one or two bath attached bedrooms and a kitchenette, and are extremely eco
friendly, merging smoothly into the panorama. Every houseboat is manned
by a crew - usually a cook, guide and oarsman. |
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