Kerala's kettuvalams

Originally called the 'kettuvalams' or the 'boats with knots', these barge-like structures seem to have appeared on the scene at approximately the same time as the gondolas. They were initially used to transport grain and spices, and gradually evolved to become a leisurely mode of transport.
The boats were made from huge planks of Jack wood, also called 'aanjili' and joined together with coir. Interestingly, during the entire process, not a single nail was used. The planks were then coated with a caustic black resin made from boiled cashew kernels. The advent of road transport and the construction of bridges saw a decline in the significance and use of kettuvalams as an effective means to carry cargo.
By the mid-19th century, the sea receded and trading vessels soon began to call on Alleppey - a town founded in 1762 by Raja Kesavadasan, the King of Travancore. At that time, there was just one canal through the strip of sand between the backwaters and the sea. This soon grew into a bustling waterway with shops, factories and commercial establishments springing up on the banks of the canal, attracting merchants from various parts of the country as well as Europe and America.
Transporting goods, primarily spices, was a three-day affair because it happened between Kuttanad and Cochin. So to accommodate the boatmen for three days, the kettuvalams, with their bamboo roofing became temporary floating shelters. With the transition of kettuvalams to full-fledged houseboats, they became huge contributors to Kerala's tourism industry.
A standard houseboat, which could be about 100 feet long, could hold up to 30 tons, three times the amount a lorry can. The evolutionary process of transforming a kettuvalam into a luxury houseboat took years, but eventually went on to become one of the most coveted means of generating tourism in the state. Soon, houseboat owners began to receive requests from tourists to convert the boats into floating resorts. That was when boat owners began to experiment with recreating the interiors of the houseboats to give them a plush feel.
Today, houseboats have evolved remarkably in terms of design, services and entertainment. Alleppey is the cradle of the houseboat business in Kerala. There are some 50 houseboats being constructed every year, all well-maintained and offering high-end luxury accommodation.