The Biggest Regatta, Kerala Vallam Kali
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This book narrates a unique and exotic paddling regatta held in folks festival style, by over 900 farming communities in coastal Kerala, India, in great passion, fervour, and intense competition of more than 100 boats, and 5000 paddlers, attracting half a million zealous on-site spectators, as well as potentially over 2 Billion TV Viewers, half the globe around. In this context, it reveals many of the unexplained senses and sensibilities of an ancient culture and its traditions. There is a deeper meaning and surprising sagacity beneath its appearance. The culture, traditions, rituals, festivit...
This book narrates a unique and exotic paddling regatta held in folks festival style, by over 900 farming communities in coastal Kerala, India, in great passion, fervour, and intense competition of more than 100 boats, and 5000 paddlers, attracting half a million zealous on-site spectators, as well as potentially over 2 Billion TV Viewers, half the globe around. In this context, it reveals many of the unexplained senses and sensibilities of an ancient culture and its traditions. There is a deeper meaning and surprising sagacity beneath its appearance. The culture, traditions, rituals, festivities, myths, and mythology are fathomed with plausible scientific explanations, and/or logical deductions. Implicitly and explicitly, they tend to compare oriental, and occidental philosophies, and attitudes. The race, festivities, the marine warfare legacy of each category of the race boats, the live video production & transmission with behind the scene activities, and the thrilling running commentary are a few of the many highlights. The traditional way to build the boats using natural resources and the resourceful architecture codes dating back to the Vedic times are elaborately explained through its entire process "from a tree in the rainforest to a floating masterpiece!". Along the way, readers are taken on a journey of many events, reclamation projects, myths, mythology, history, fallacy, and themes of great significance, and consequences. The nuances, rituals, the communal banquet 'Sadhya;' the euphoric, and hilariously eventful 'music mela' are narrated in authentic and fascinating accounts. It compares the traditions and performance styles of Indian & Western music. The human ecology, the biosphere consisting of the flora, fauna, and fountains, as well as the sustainable lifestyle of over a thousand village communities, should provide an acceptable model for world living, especially when the world is ominously staring at an imminent existential threat, and predicament. The plight of farming communities, the degradation of the environment, and the consequent global trend of 'migration in desperation' that are now widely seen, is passionately discussed offering the real causes that are often ignored in media discourses, and government policies. In this context, many scientific, technological, economic mitigation measures, and practical solutions are discussed in an 'interactive presentation' event at the race's exhibition venue. The book highlights the disparities of various social classes, genders, and the underprivileged. Faith & colonialism; exploitation & desecration; falsification of historical events for self-promotion and glorification, etc are candidly pointed out, perhaps drawing some ire and consternation. They are truly eye-openers and deeply thought-provoking. Several anecdotal stories, inspirational speeches, and eloquent poems spice up the reading pleasures. The many picture collages build reality and imagination to the descriptions and narrations. Among the mixes of many subjects, each chapter provides the readers with a piece of information, an inference; a wit, wisdom; a taste of rustic humour, a serious thought; a surprise, a riddle, an expectation, or anticipation of an unravelling mystery, a potential solution; and certainly, a moral to cherish and share with friends & families. The biggest regatta depicts a real world, a population, and a traditional lifestyle, a culture unknown to many, but under the circumstances may very well come to appreciate, and emulate. A book, truly informative, captivating, and interesting throughout; climaxing in suspense, drama, a hastily-arranged wedding, and making several discoveries along the way. All come to an end in colourful festivities celebrating the historic victory! The theme embodies and symbolizes many subject matters all at once
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