Vanchipattu is the traditional boat song of central
Kerala. It is generally sung during religious occasions and snake boat races.
In snake boat race, each team contains 100 to 200 oarsmen, 25 singers and four helmsmen. The oarsmen plough the water to the rhythm of the Vanchipattu.
Traditional percussion instruments accompany this song. The rhythm of these songs depicts devotional, mythological and rural life styles.