The Kettuvallam (House Boat in Kerala) is a large floating structure with high loading carrying capacity was a part of Kerala's culture and heritage over the past years. Kettuvallam could sail harnessing wild energy. A journey through the lagoon is interesting, passing through sleepy villages, busy boat jetties and vibrant celebrations. The boat glides across the shimmering blue waters with gorgeous green and fringed edges.

For centuries Kettuvallam have been roaming in the backwaters transporting men and materials to different destinations. Due to its sheer size and shape, Kettuvallam can carry load, which is more than thrice that of a cargo truck. It was the important mode of transportation in coastal Kerala just because of its accessibility to the most remote areas. As time passed, the scene changed gradually. Motorized road, rail and air transportation scored over the slow and staid country boat, with people opting for speed over charm.

With Kerala becoming an increasing popular destination for tourists, Kettuvallam have been given a new lease of life. A cruise in the backwaters of Kerala is a remarkable experience, an opportunity to enjoy and contain an unhurried pace of life. Floating along on cool tranquil water one can experience at hand the unusual representation of Kerala life. Nowadays environment friendliness has become the yardstick gauging the efficiency of transportation. Kettuvallam is not only economical but also non-polluting and environment friendly. It thus became imperative that this mode of transportation be developed further and encouraged.

The tourist demand for an experience to get a feel of the Kerala shores brought the Kettuvallam back to the waters in the restored form as Houseboat. They were attracted by the simplicity and the originality of the form.
 

Due to these difficulties it becomes necessary to make some changes in the form so that a comfortable cruise was possible. The body was redesigned and remodeled to adapt for the new demands and functions. Certain elements had to be added and others removed to make it good enough for comfortable cruise. Height of roof was increased to get sufficient headroom. A plank was laid all through the length to reduce the disadvantages of curved shape of the hull for walking and comfortable seating. Windows and other openings were provided for light, airflow and view. The entrance is provided in the center of the linear axis with a top hung panel, which was supported by poles on either ends of the Valavara.

Most of the latest designs have incorporated 3 bedrooms with a common toilet, a living space and kitchen. Now some of them have come with lesser number of bedrooms but with large living space and may be a deck balcony at the roof level. The platforms that cantilever from the hull are used as balconies. For fixing the toilet seats, shower tray and ceramic floor finish a concrete slab is laid at the floor level. The soil outlet of the toilet seats are taken through the hull and let out to the following water beneath, The water is stored in a plastic tank kept at the top portion of the Valavara taking connection to the kitchen and toilets. The pipes, tank and other synthetic materials are covered with coir or panambu to maintain the aesthetic quality of the eco friendly materials. The air cylinders, which are of the metal body, are fixed to the underside of the cantilevered platforms at the entry points of Valavara. These cylinders help to balance the structure on water reducing its tilting to the sides to a minimum. Since the circulation inside the Vallam is more in the new function more stability is required.
 

The colour of the Valavara is yellowish brown, which is the colour of the natural materials like panambu, coir and bamboo. It is a warmer colour comparing to the colour of the surrounding atmosphere. This gives a nice feeling of being inside the Vallam.

 

Bamboo is used for the framework of the roof and splits of Bamboo are used for weaving mat for roofing. Bamboo poles are used for punting the Vallams. It is strong fiber and absorbs more carbon.

The Kettuvallam has been so much a part of Kerala's culture and heritage for years. Although it faced a period of decline with the advent of surface transport it has now come back to the scene as tourist attraction, it is a space adapted for the present, from the past to be used in the future and it plays a significant role in the social and economic aspects of the life e of the people of Kerala. The slow moving Houseboat splitting the serene backwaters flanked by greenery provide an enchanting experience to any visitor. Floating in these backwaters in a country craft Kettuvallam (Houseboat) to explore the unusual representation of Kerala through the intricate maze of canals conjures up a surreal existence devoid of any time sense.