For many travelers, a holiday on a houseboat means much more than the scenic view of the backwaters and mouth-watering Kerala-style food. We always receive requests for “an authentic houseboat experience”, “a taste of Kerala” and “the rustic vibe”. Similar thoughts? Continue reading to find out how Kumarakom Castle houseboats offer a sneak peek into the yesteryears of Kerala’s heritage.
- The “Tharavallam”
Kerala’s houseboat heritage is believed to be as old as the beginning of India’s maritime trade. Traditionally, the houseboat, with its thatched roof cover over the wooden hull, was the main means of transportation of goods, materials and men in the backwaters of Kerala. Although a houseboat is commonly referred to as a “kettuvallam” (a boat made by tightening wooden planks together with coir ropes), our houseboats fall under the “Tharavallam” category, as we use brass nails to fasten the parts of the boat together, for added strength and safety. - The Wooden Hull
The wooden hull of our houseboats is carved out of virgin “Anjili” (Wild Jack), and covered in protective coats of cashew nut oil strictly following the rules laid out in the “Thatchusaastra”, the traditional science of carpentry. In a market flooded with modern cost-efficient constructions such as metal hulls, we have chosen to look deep into the wisdom of traditional architecture, to offer the best and most authentic houseboat experience for our guests. While boats with metal hulls produce an unpleasant sound while cruising, our wooden hulls glide smoothly in the water and give you ample opportunity to listen to the soft rippling sound of every ebb and wave.
- The Ara- Nira Concept
Most of the traditional houses of Kerala had ornamental wooden carvings inside them, tailored to suit the cultural and climatic conditions of the region. Wooden carvings were done by skilled artisans on pillars, walls, and even ceilings, depicting stories of ancient Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Our houseboats are constructed following the traditional design principle of the “ara” with the “nira” (stylized wooden paneled interiors), that keeps the interior of the boat cool in the summer, and warmer during the winter season. Along the perimeter of the front seating area in our boats, would also find wooden “charupady”, a design element is seen in the verandas and balconies of the old palaces of Kerala.
Fun fact- did you know that one of our houseboats was constructed using original elements from a hundred-year-old “tharavadu” (ancestral home) in Kerala? Well, they were refurbished to meet our strength and security standards, but utmost care was taken to ensure the essence was not lost in the process. - The Poomachu
The “poomachu” or the floral hand-carved wooden ceiling is another attraction of ours. “Poo” in Malayalam means “flower” and “machu” means ceiling. The “poomachu” is completely hand-carved following the traditional “Thamam” design principle, inspired by the petals of a Lotus flower. Being a rarity, this ornate floral ceiling can be found only in palaces and very old and affluent houses of Kerala.
- The Hand Carved Wooden Artwork
The rare collection of hand-carved wooden artwork that adorns the corridor walls of our houseboat is something that sets us apart. Hand-carved by veterans who learned their craft from the Travancore Royal Family, the five masterpieces from our collection talk of an era gone by and are so exclusive, they cannot be reinvented. With subjects derived from the Indian epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata, these highly stylized carvings of Gods and Goddesses are sure to hold you spellbound.
Intrigued? Reach out to us to plan the holiday of your dreams on one of our “floating castles”.