In a bid to celebrate “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav”  to commemorate 75 years of India’s Independence, Malayalee community in Canada on Sunday August 29, recreated the traditional Kerala Boat Race at a lake. 

According to various reports, the Professor’s Lake at Brampton in Canada had witnessed as many as 21 teams including two teams of women participating in the traditional boat race.

Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan also shared the video on his official Twitter handle with the caption, “Kerala Boat Race goes global”. 

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“Kerala Boat Race goes global! Traditional Kerala Boat Race recreated in Professor’s Lake, Brampton, Canada by IndianToronto and Brampton Malayalee Samajam as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav Watch the enthusiastic participation of 19 mens’ and 2 women’s teams vying for the trophy”, the Union minister tweeted.

As many as 11 members were onboard each boat and the event was organised by India in Toronto as an initiative by the Consulate General of India and Brampton Malayalee Samajam.

According to the Brampton Malayalee Samajam, a non-profit, non-political, secular, and cultural organization whose principal objective is that of preserving and maintaining the culture, language, and heritage of Kerala, the Brampton Boat Race is one of the only such events that hosts the traditional Vallamkali in the whole North America.

What is Vallam Kali?

Vallam Kali, also known as boat game, is a traditional boat race in Kerala and is a form of canoe racing that uses paddled war canoes. It is mainly conducted during the season of the harvest festival Onam in spring.

During the Onam season, the Vallam Kali includes races of many kinds of paddled longboats and ‘snake boats’. Each team spends about 6 lakh rupees for the Nehru Trophy.