Archaeonautica L’archéologie maritime et navale de la préhistoire à l’époque contemporaine

20 | 2018 De re navali : Pérégrinations nautiques entre Méditerranée et océan Indien

Odam – the quintessential sewn of Odam – L’essence du bateau cousu de l’Inde

Lotika Varadarajan

Electronic version URL: http://journals.openedition.org/archaeonautica/594 DOI: 10.4000/archaeonautica.594 ISSN: 2117-6973

Publisher CNRS Éditions

Printed version Date of publication: 6 December 2018 Number of pages: 209-221 ISBN: 978-2-271-12263-6 ISSN: 0154-1854

Electronic reference Lotika Varadarajan, « Odam – the quintessential sewn boat of India », Archaeonautica [Online], 20 | 2018, Online since 30 April 2020, connection on 30 April 2020. URL : http://journals.openedition.org/ archaeonautica/594 ; DOI : https://doi.org/10.4000/archaeonautica.594

Archaeonautica ARCHAEONAUTICA_20.indb 209 lection col this to data contemporary added has VictorRajamanickam described sewn boat traditions in and and Asia in traditions boat sewn described el etniey ih hs ops f material of corpus this with extensively dealt Hornell James and rich is hand, other the on base, ethnological The weighed. judiciously be to has evidence literary absence, its in and, fragmentary best at is testimony Archaeological sifted. India, , Nautical Ethnography, boat Odam, Sewn Keywords being. into it delineatedbe against abackdrop community ofthe that brought until 1970s. the odam The the in mirrored is This underpinnings. theoretical unacknowledged maritime devices that made seafaring apragmatic enterprise with in andthe mathematics of astronomy some in were reflected which and Arabs Chinese the played arole. India’s achievements maritime tradition built mutual on in adaptation and absorption communities ofIndian acorpus was settled and there Ocean handled this trade. to innovation Mariners open are more than role.an This effective article will concentrate on the that had sub-continent wherewithal the the as happen not to play allowed foreign merchants to handle commerce. her This did India routes. regards these could have played apassive role and thatroutes existed in antiquity role and the ofIndian as trade articleThe with apreliminary opens introduction trade to the Abstract v Lotika seW O rda 20; e oai 21, . 511 Se lo h floig articles: following the also Sharma 1999,p. 1-10;Basap. 29-71. See 75-101. p. 2012, Romanis De 2005; Sridhar also Romero-Frias2014. See tradition). jong the to lug lashed of development the (for p. 253-280 tion), tradi- lug lashed the (for p. 256-264 1993, Manguin p. 203-204; Deguchi1991, Asia, and East Asia East and Asia Southeast Asia, West with extensive had trade also India linkages, trade Roman a hv be ete Ida o Arab or Indian either been have may of fastening of planks through sewing. The author says the wreck evidence is There Borneo. and Sumatra between situated island Belitung of port and town main the Panday,Tanjung of north . asn 96 p 7; aaaaa 18, . 09, 91, . 425-433; p. 1991a, 90-95, p. 1987, Varadarajan 73; p. 1986, Casson 5. 304; 299, 297, p. 1980, Chittick 29; 14, p. 1942, 14, p. 1920, Hornell 4. SeeFlecker 2000,p.199-200. 3. Rajamanickam2004,p. 7-32. 2. Hornell1920,p. 139-246,1946. 1. carefully be to has India in sewn regarding Evidence D 2 . Michael Flecker refers to a 9 a to refers Flecker Michael . am n aradara

B odam – oaT Jan , which undertook seafaring which, voyages undertook was a sewn boat and its features will and boat its asewn was The

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. India was by no means a a means no by was India . th century shipwreck found found shipwreck century Qui 3 i Svrl uhr have authors Several . n dia 1 n Poesr G. Professor . 4 . Apart from from Apart . Tesse - n to the seas prior to the coming of the Europeans the of coming the to prior seas the to pertaining systemknowledge Ocean Indian an of existence the arises as to whether India had developed the technical know technical the developed had India whether to as arises Bateau cousu, Ethnographie navale, Inde, Indien, Océan Odam Mots-clés communauté qui l’a conçu qui constituent le sujet article. cet de téristiques architecturales l’ de années 1970, un témoin est pratiques. ces de carac les sont donc Ce Laquedivesîles utilisé dans le voyages cadre de maritimes jusqu’aux connus. peu théoriques Le odam Lakshadweep navigation indienne une pragmatique entreprise aux fondements trouvent undansdes dispositifs reflet nautiques qui ont faitde la processus. Les acquis l’Inde de enmathématiques et enastronomie Chinoisexogènes. des et Le rôle Arabes des primordial fut dans ce d’adaptationmènes mutuelle àtravers et l’assimilation traditions de àl’océanpropres Indien qui s’est construit sur phéno la de base munautés ont sédentaires, conçu traditions un de corpus maritimes ce commerce. Les marins, àl’innovation plus ouverts que lescom premier plan. article Cet concentre sur se lesnavires impliqués dans produitpas car le sous-continent avait moyens les jouer de un rôle de commerce. gérer son de Cela étrangers aux commerçants s’est ne L’Inde routes. ces de aurait pu jouer un rôle passif ainsi et permettre ciales l’Antiquité de sur et le rôle tenu par le commerce indien au sein L’article s’ouvre sur une introduction relative aux commer routes Résumé o travel, serve as a serious disincentive to trade kalivarjya beliefin the Nor routes.did sea as well as land both of advantage took and participant passive however, possess a more resilient heritage and article this will be be only islands, Lakshadweep The can boats. œshing through this reconstructed today although tradition, maritime a sessed pos also but exposed was it which to routes trade the in pated partici only not India that view the strengthens information of body This traditions. building introduction boat the Indian the into with œbreglass of India the in end of an to come coming has and the Europeans after even grow to continued knowledge merchants to carry on trade within the circuit of the East African African East the of circuit the within to East Asian shores trade on carry to merchants and vessels own its send to India of ability the for case strong it a whether provides evidence or Ethnological vessels. trade carrier this on depended in participate directly to it enable to Tia dam . See Varadarajan 1983; Arunachalam 2002,p. 29-65. 8. 7. Varadarajan 1983, p. 1-8. 6. See Varadarajan 1983, p. 349,1987,p. 95-105,1991b,p. 6-8;Sarma2015. – l’ l essence

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209 Lotika Varadarajan – Odam – the quintessential sewn boat of india 210 ARCHAEONAUTICA_20.indb 210 Archaeonautica 20 – 2018 and and Karnataka southern of coast the along ports and Lakshadweep between sailings of pattern the comprised depth in out worked the in Arabia However, east. the to areas Malacca the and of Burma to northwest cities holy the from stretching routes of vestiges contain , of Malmi Kunhikunhi by framed refers to a strong wind from a south a from wind strong a to refers kattuthari waves are generated in an still otherwise sea, these are called is used term the and Valivu islanders. neer the by environment marine their of asawe vses Lcl rutters, Local vessels. Lakshadweep by sailings sea high of memories recall vividly still could pants Bengal following the into falls categories: craft sailing heritage. Indian rich of the sewn on vessels the based totality the of against islands as these Jong mentionedbyManguin(1993). falls within the sphere of Maldivian or Southeast Asian tradition of the Laccadiveswhile Kavaratti,includes Agatti,and . of island The A listofResourcePersonsandInformants isaddedtothiscontribution. at Andrott in February 1992, the reference will read: MNK, Andrott, February, ‘92. November January to December and cyclonic weather associated with the months of October to early of periods during avoided usually were destinations mainland to Sailings islands. of the vicinities immediate the festationsin mani- their as well as sea open the in both currents tidal sonal have ofknowledgea deep sea- mariners nature of changing the Local size. larger of those particularly craft, local the of size to Ÿow.according varies the tidal has served to This control the ronment for anchorage but the at depth particularly the entrance and other requirements other and includedcargos food rice, necessities, timber , return The coir. wellas as œbre coconut comprised April, late in last, the of oil in brought February, in third, content. The water their for valued coconuts larger with laden was second, in coconuts The November, small used in rituals. carried mid in sailing œrst The Quilon. and Cochin Calicut, ports to such as Karnataka, and Kerala to and to destinations, Lakshadweep which included from sailings four about described in the note the in described as cited be will informants the information oral on dominantly pre based in article this since that stated be to needs it outset the erstwhile Amindivi and Laccadives group of islands of group Laccadives and odam, Amindivi the the erstwhile with deal to meaningful more Existing terminology points to the profound understanding understanding profound the to points terminology Existing 10. , and Chetlat, Kadmat, Amini, modern comprises Amindivi 9. partici erstwhile when 1980s, the in collected was data The vi) v) Stapled of West boats Bengal; iv) ; crafts; board balance other and iii) orpegged; ii) Tree-nailed variations; their and sewn boats and planked i) Rabbeted, ecological diversityReŸecting the of country, coastal the the 3 Arunachalam etal.1990,p. 36-43,106. 13. Arunachalam etal.1990,p. 104-105. 12. Varadarajan 2004, p. 144-148,2006,p. 471. 11. The lagoons have always offered a calm and protected envi- protected and havecalm lagoonsalways a offered The These vessels may reŸect a larger picture of the past but it is is it but past the of picture larger a reŸect vesselsmay These both refer to the term current. When the sea is very still still very is sea the When current. term the to refer both P For example, if the information has been obtained from M.N. Koyammahaji - āṭ Orissa. i ā 11 and signify that a wind is about to rise. to about is wind a that signify and te ees cikr ot n h bre o West of border the on boat reverse the , . Once the southwest monsoon had abated there were kaemal 10 . 12 . or kulappam 13 - Rahmanis . bearing copra. The cargo cargo The copra. bearing - . When pockets of small small of pockets When . westerly direction. The The direction. westerly the sewn boat of , such as that that as such , Thulabada September -September 9 . At the the At . - -

for carrying stones for carrying terrapam the 1960s, the in mechanisation of introduction the After one. earlier the half to shrunk had size the 1990s the In years. 30 about of load about would last logs a and ten about would100 kg.Itcomprise be carry could could and It width persons. two in by 7” manipulated 6’ and length in 8” 19’ measure terrapam times earlier In construction. its in used was ettu valikkindadettu valikkindad nalu cheriyath as known is it Chetlat and Kavaratti Agatti, odi is Amini in term The island. to island from varies designation The boat. œshing oared, two usually are These boats. oared larger the are size of order ot called boats of typology. boat terms in now turned be of categories two last terrapam own their make called Makaram north be required(SK,Chetlat,February, 1989). for œsh such as devil ray, tiger shark and marlin, more than 100 meters of rope may medium and œsh the smaller length of For rope bait. can be this 25 metres. to When attracted harpoon œshing œsh is involvedthe catch to deployed is harpoon The manipulate it in such a manner that its movements emulate those of the Ÿying œsh. method boat the on œshermen The œsh. attract to stem Another the from water the into dropped is 1989). Feb. Chetlat, (Panicker, ovu woodendummy the a œsh, that is times present employedinto harpooning in industry perfumery the in the beak. around When this is ejected from accumulates the body it becomes this ambergris and is much and prized secreted is spermaceti, substance, like A jelly intestines. the in discomfort causes and digested be cannot beak the squid whole (Physeter whale sperm The swallowswhale a contest, a a after waters. If these in found be to combs. also is catadon) and frames spectacle making for used be in utilised odam construction. The shell of the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelysand imbricate) can stored scraped, is This carapace. the of surface upper the below the case of the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), there is a greenish jelly- caudal and pectoral œns are cut and dried and enjoy a ready market in East Asia. In many varieties were of shark on the high seas, which could be easily There salted. The dorsal, tip. the at required only was œsh, ray a of sting replaced had iron, which and material, local from made was tool The environment. the to response efœcient an was œshing, in component essential an Harpooning, times. earlier in Lakshadweep exists withintherealmof oaredvessels. boat, paddled the of arena Asian-Paciœc Southeast the into fall Bengal of Bay gious leaders) for inter (reli Thangals by used mainly were They oarsmen. of pairs Vrichikam Vrchianhar of month the in direction easterly sig ihn h lgo waters lagoon the within œshing the extinct, today virtually catamaran, Indian south the of variant island an is There ennam expression used. the weather bad of spell a is there if kunakkedum called is The smallest craft in sewnthe category is plank craft twothe smallest The Prior to the year 1960 there was a category of two of category a was 1960there year the to Prior 18. the whereas that recalled be the to in is Islands It Nicobar and Andaman 17. TK, Amini, March,‘95. 16. HV, Kavaratti, February, ‘92. 15. Varadarajan 1998,p. 40. 14. There There are several kinds of marine watercraft in Lakshadweep. - Ouseph et al. 1988, p. 29. Fishing was an important activity in these waters ed valikkindad rendu kacham western wind in the month of month the in wind western tended to be used for œshing within reef waters and and waters reef within œshing for used be to tended karakkatt apoiaey mid approximately , , approximately mid muraka wood, light A . kondalam kunakked as known is weather Inclement . , meaning speedy. The wind coming from an an from coming wind The speedy. meaning , , eight , , four , 15 . aru toni Andrott in , - terrapam - kolum kolum is cyclone for term The . oared, the oared, velikonda called also oared - island trafœc. island The nexttrafœc. development is n aaat rwd y i o seven or six by rowed Kavaratti in and 17 Ohr rfs a b rfre t as to referred be can crafts Other . Tee r a ain o te Tamil the of variant a are These . ettu valikkindad - - aru valikkindad aru erir sd o subsistence for used earlier , November mid to aur t mid to January 14 I te at sr would users past the In . ( Makaranhar , while in Kadmat, Kiltan, Kiltan, Kadmat, in while , rtrn variegata Erythrina that attention will will attention that , six , - , 18 eray is February, , , Malayalam - . It is to the the to is It . December, December, - 16 oared and oared like oil layer . Next in in Next . -masted -masted could could - oared oared and and L.), L.), is is - - ,

03/10/2018 12:06:18 ARCHAEONAUTICA_20.indb 211 would have about 20 rows 20 about have would 18kol of length keel a with One 10-15planks. of rows prising nl o aot 0° Ti ofrd oe ag space cargo more offered This 100°. about of angle kondalam earlier the than rather 110° approximately of angle an to readjusted also was post stern the and keel the between angle The area. stem rounded the called commonly more model, adapted the keel, the to angle Kavaratti used as fuel. The planks would then be aligned above this above aligned be then would planks The fuel. as used wouldwoodbe waste the and made wouldbe trench A planks. ( neem of application the was would usually take œve years to recover to œveyears take usually would costs the and venture big a was craft a shallow such of of one building The be to draft. vessel the requires reef the of nature the term lns i te wood the in pleness sup- maintain to months two every applied wouldbe oil Shark valiya valiya a 1995 odam Circa Par. Manjal and Par Parimal Beliapani, would be used inside the lagoon. The crew would comprise the crew the would lagoon. The inside the comprise would used be kol 6 of length keel a with Those (1 sizes. two in came odam valikonda the inter in engaged called craft a was tions opera shore to for Amini in craft existing The lagoon. odam the of larger nature the of forbecause island the to close difœcult too approach was it where Amini in traced a bit n 95 y ta Koya, Atta by All thewood includingthekeel would bereused(KPP, 1965 Kalpeni, March,’95). in built was odam last Puthiyapura and Nalla Koya, The Akkara. The life death. of an odam was approximately 50 years. to squeezed slowly was odam valiya Lakshadweep the Governmentand Administration, Union the by sioned usedodam valiya on the open sea the table:the the ht t ol b aatd o ev hs needs his serve to adapted be could it that car the directed kondalam now Kavaratti the to penter Kader Koormael modify Amini in operations unloading and loading in involved was who Mohammed, Saraichetta ties. trafœc Union, Indian the shore activi to ship in was rise a there and increase to began of part a became Lakshadweep kol 8 of length keel a with number of oarsmen on board ofnumber oarsmen used is the of number of irrespective rowers or size of typology keel. In the other islands the term this of boat any to but rowers of number or keel of size the to referring as taken be longer kol h small The 8 KKH,Kavaratti, October, ’86. 28. KMH,Kavaratti, January, ’95. 27. MKKK,Kalpeni,March,’95. 26. TK, Amini, March,’95. 25. KM,Kavaratti,’87. 24. AH,Kadmat, March,’95 23. 22. TK, Amini, October, ’86. 21. AM,Kavaratti, April, ’95. 20. TK, Amini, March,’95. 19. The largest crafts in this range of planked sewn boats are the are boats sewn planked of range this in crafts largest The param =4 thulam – 80 param =1 thulam – 20 lbs =28 =1quarter; – 1 thulam wasodam valiya 60 to 70 aru valikkindad aru aru valikonda aru with a keel size of 15 to 16 With the onset of mechanisation and with the introduction of ships commis - ships of introduction the with and mechanisation of onset the With = 2½ ettu valikkindad kondalam ) had ten rowers, while 12 rowers manned crafts crafts manned 12 rowers while rowers, ten had ) odam - valikonda odam Amini The sailings. island were engaged in œshing at Cheriyapani, Cheriyapani, at œshing in engaged were , restricted to the island of Amini, can no can ofAmini, island the to restricted , or had a straight stem set at an oblique 28 . Steering oars rather than the rudder rudder the than rather oars Steering . ar velikonda ar or =1ton =5cwt; 26 et . In earlier times the only seasoning only the seasoning times . earlier In param Atr Nvme 15 when 1956 November 1 After . (8) 21 . zdrct indica Azadirachta valikonda 22 25 wouldkol have a hull com sternpost positioned at an an at positioned sternpost . As has already been stated, stated, been already has As . . , equal to 15 to 18tons to 15 to equal , (6 23 valikonda . The mean capacity of capacity mean The . irrespective of the the of irrespective 19 . Whereas the the Whereas . , which also also which , ), had a more oil on the the on oil ) 20 . The The . 24 to to so so in in 27 - - - - - .

ership in the 1860s, while Melacheris succeeded in 1933 in in islands other 1933the in 1940 about in in and Amini succeeded Melacheris while 1860s, the in ership ownership ofof odam the rights sole enjoying group privileged Melacheri. the were Koyas and The Malmi Koya, three comprising into strata divided hierarchical was Amindivi and Laccadives as known earlier clusters the on . the on shipbuilding of the where Island Chetlat Chetlat of Rapiapura Yusuf carpenter, chief the from information valuable obtain to and replica the ( accommodated within the sewn within boat category accommodated Chetlat the that its name bearing island on the reason structed this for was it and tinued aia odam valiya reconstructed newly a viewing feasible times. all at be provided, maybutwill notthis be terms for vernacular local terminology applicable international Where noted. be also will aru the subsuming latter the , kondalam cheriyath the in deviations minor picture, the complete cable will also be included in usage.description of Tocarpentry the of construction from of the largest in this series, the series, this in largest the of construction the given to be will primacy while so, being This construction. of method in homogeneity basic a have clature OF THE CONSTRUCTION for tasks other eight kilassi ten and to or cook bhandari a transactions), commercial for responsible was and the malmi the be also who could captain Mediterranean context, seePomey 1981,p. 230-244. a in boat sewn the For p. 319-343. 1985, Manguin see Asia Southeast in tion Sohar on which he attempted recreate the voyage of Sinbad. For the sewn tradi- the build to technique same the used p. 279-287) (1985, SeverinTim p. 26-36. with with which such speed tasks could be and completed efœciency the of because Chetlat to attracted be to ofmembers that odams reason islands whoother needed this for was It task. the in cooperated villages the all structed odam an wheneverelsewhere, absent cohesion the of most in other islands. Blessed by access to prevailing wood and enjoying a privilege societal of possession by caused tensions of the bywas free Melacheris, settled earlier been had atclry n eain o h ihrn Ÿxblt o the of Ÿexibility inherent the structure. to relation in particularly be said to also be applicable sewn boatsto Lakshadweep the hs pakd odn sea wooden planked these the East African littoral as noted by Robert M. Adams M. by Robert noted as littoral African the East the of strength structural œg. 1 It centre is of of rise the interest to as Chetlat trace a primary h ato hs a te nqe datg o nt only not of advantage unique the had has author The All the sewn planked boats irrespective of speciœc nomen- speciœc of irrespective boats planked sewn the All 4 SeeCensusofIndia,1961. 34. AMB,Kavaratti, November, ’08. 33. George 1993,p. 146-147. 32. See Adams 1988, p. 289-302. 31. 1988, al. et Ouseph in documented been has carpentry of method The 30. TK, Amini, March,’95. 29. The method of carpentry and assemblage in all is ofmethod The uniform carpentry tindel ), but was ablealso involved to team meet the in making had been built. been had , manager (could be the owner or his representative his or owner the be (could manager , . The Malmis wrested the rights ofthe rights wrested own- . Malmis The cheriyath - valiya odam valiya on vses n al a be can all and vessels going VALIYA ODAM and nw xic, sd along used extinct, now , , steersman and navigator, and steersman , , where appli-kondalam 34 . and 33 . This trend has con has trend This . , information , drawn information ettu valikkindadettu 32 29 . Chetlat, which Chetlat, . . had to be con 30 Chetlat the , . Much of the the of Much . was con began began 31 and 03/10/2018 12:06:18 can can - - - ,

211 Lotika Varadarajan – Odam – the quintessential sewn boat of india 212 ARCHAEONAUTICA_20.indb 212 Archaeonautica 20 – 2018 Water mark Depth above. Length From endto OF THE DIMENSIONS = 2½’ TABLE OFCARPENTRY MEASUREMENTS Fig. 1: TheChetlat,areconstructedvaliyaodam.Notethesystemofstaysandrigging:lowerwhitelineonhullmarkswaterline. 5 Varadarajan 2004, p. 228-229. 35. Height 1 on hull way stem 4 from Quarter kol 4 stern and stem of length total For 1½Sternpost /3¾’ kol /6¼’Stempost 2½ kol /keel 12 /31 kol of pandi Length 1 mushti Quarter way from stern 4 way stern from Quarter Length, stem to stern 16 stern stem to /40’ kol Length, 35 =6”, 1 1 double 4 / 5 /4½’ kol mushti = mushti CHETLAT 4 3 / / 5 5 /11½’ kol /12’ kol 1 / 1’, single 5 5 ’ /10’ is added to the the to added /10’is mushti = mushti 1 kol

mid Masts Curvature wind. agood about 6” with rise could odam the as line this above little a load could sailor skilled highly However,a kol 16½ valiya kariya thulu positioned adi at the cross the valiyaplank, kariya to the sail the to The height is equal to that of the keel of i.e. the that to 12 height /31 kol is equal The /Valia mast kumb Main ( stem at hull outer along measured Length ( watermark the above loaded be not would Vessels Corresponding length at stern ( at stern length Corresponding Height 20’, ofperuman length Aft mast The of Length lift additional provide 105°. to of done angle is an This at Set /3¾’ -stempost /41¼’ kol valia kumb valia Amara kumb /Amara peruman and pooccham , main mast is positioned through the mast mast the through positioned is mast main , is 45’, equal to length mid . The section of the mast between the between mast the of section The . eapalaka is called to reach the mast step, mast the reach to 30’ amartha chella amartha anyatha chella anyatha . ) is less is ) by 1½ -sternpost to to -sternpost pooacham 1 / 5 ’ g 1 œg. ). ). )

03/10/2018 12:06:20 ARCHAEONAUTICA_20.indb 213 (length of sail is equal to length ofperuman length to is equal of sail (length koshunthala the and 17 to equal /42½’ kol and 12 18 Sails 20. puranada,aftgangway. , rudder;19.cholitoilet; shrouds;13.sava,14.labram,15.churth,truss;16.17.chillaalath,forestay;18. chukkan 12. labram, in liftingupthesail,supportsperuman/yardwhenitturnsaccordingtowindpressureandfacilitatesshiftingsailfromonesideofmastother; , plays a role 5. chillakkolor chillakumb, jib ; 6. chillapaya,jib valiya paya sail; 7.8. , merk sheet; 9. , lift; manthela 10. kalancha, halyard; 11. mukilancha Fig. 2: Nomenclature of masts, sails, and valiya kumb,mainmast; accessories: 2. 1. amara kumb, mizzen mast; 3. peruman,yard; 4. lasoor, toggle, tholepin; mast andtheaftwould bethreequarters ofthelengthforemast. main the of that half measure would foremast the that were used proportions of point in line with the stem head (HC, Amini, October, ’86). A rough and ready set slightly to the rear of mid- /45’ kol /30’ kol The Length of side tied to tied side of Length pa /Amara sail Aft Edge Edge of sail, kada the 36. kelayasin edge, lower of Length peruman to tied side of Length /Valiya pa sail Main 20’ kumb /Chilla Jib mast thammam In earlier times if there were three masts, the main mast would be set set be would mast main the masts, three were there if times earlier In koshnada below, is 1 is below, peruman the of end the between section the , ships, while the foremast would be positioned at quarter , is equal to , is equal peruman , stretching between upper tip, upper between stretching , kol / 2½’ less than the than less 2½’ / 36 1 / peruman puram peruman / 5 peruman yr /peruman yard , puram is 2 / 3 p e r u m a n p u r a m ) =9’. peruman puram peruman is 12 is kodithala kol / 30’ 30’ / is is = , ,

babus babus Ÿag, helmsman the by hoisted small be may , stad a direction wind assess to Additionally, maduthamtacyclonic sails, jute weather During to 5 to vidual nomenclature, contemporary European usage tends to tends usage European contemporary nomenclature, vidual indi has Figure 2 in depicted as stays of number the while thala /20’ 8kol to koshunthala the and choli pa choli peruman puram peruman the less than Length of lowerofkelayasin edge, Length ( Pa /Chilla Jib sail kada the sail, of Edge Koshnada 7 PMK,Kavaratti, October, ’87. 37. of lowerLength edge, kelayasin If the keel size is more than 16kol than more is size keel the If pa /Choli Fourth sail /16½’ side kol =6½ of third Length Length ofperuman side to tied Length 3 /10 , and corresponding tip on tip thammam corresponding and , /13¼’ kol ( stern the at area latrine the near raised is , , the edge of the sail between the end of the of end the between sail the of edge the , , is equal to , is equal a sail a lateen kodi kodi tip, upper between stretching , , equal to 10½ to kol , equal 1 / 5 /20’ 8kol puram /peruman peruman , is is ) 2 2 / / / 40’, a fourth sail, the sail, 40’,fourth / a 3 3 peruman puram equal equal puram peruman 37 . It is of interest that that interest of is It . below, is 1 =2 2 /26 / 5 /6’ kol , are hoisted. are , 1 / 4’ kol peruman g 2 œg. equal equal / 2½’/ 03/10/2018 12:06:21 ). ). -

213 Lotika Varadarajan – Odam – the quintessential sewn boat of india 214 ARCHAEONAUTICA_20.indb 214 Archaeonautica 20 – 2018 peruman kodithala of the gator malmi the of participation involvethe would and oftwo setteesails Stitching or guy under all the category ofaccommodate either fore or side stay koshumthala (sheetclew). 3. koshnada,rectangularedgeofsail(luff);4.koshumthala,pointonloweroppositethamman(tackclew);5. Fig. 3: NomenclatureofdifferentedgesthesetteesailonChetlat:1.kodithala,juncturebetweenperuman/yardandpointabovethamman;2.yard; the the of length The hull. the of rim upper the mid the of the of length length The the keel. to equivalent is mast main naremp the of called height is cloth, the of body the into stitched is which rope, The again. once lines parallel in stitched and laidbe will ropes lower the the section than third one. the In stitched and laid be equal. In the middle be section the will upper will edge edges will be bottom 1” and broader top ropes the both the and lines parallel in section œrst the In sections. 0 PH,Chetlat,November, ’08. 40. KPP, Kalpeni,March,’95. 39. AP, New Delhi. 38. The cutting and stitching of sails is a specialised activity specialised a is sails of stitching and cutting The koshumthala - - mid to sternpost 39 peruman 38 kittam sailcloth, The . . koshnada The . and the . The length the length The . and thamman thamman peruman tmot esrd n t ed along end to end measured stempost extending between the end of would be 1 40 , is marked into three equal equal three into marked is , kada would be equal to the length length the to equal be would would measure two thirds thirds two measure would , extending between the between extending , kol kelaysin less than the , the navi the , between between . The The . -

(œg. 3 puram peruman is called of the of n senot ee o t b md fo ne ( neem from made be to not were sternpost and param seema aini STAGE ONE OF THE STAGES IN THE CONSTRUCTION the ’95). March, (KPP,Kalpeni, carry could it rice of load the of terms in assessed be also could It ’95). (PAH,March, ton Kadmat, one equivalent to being kete 25 according MNK to the number of kete , bundles of coir, but later there was shift and grandis pandi the for also as planking, all for wood 42. YRChetlat,November, ’08; AMB, Kavaratti,41. November, ’08. h rqie wo wud e ahrd Ti wud include would This gathered. be would wood required The peruman chillakkol ( roaps hirsutus Artocarpus h cpct cud e end n ifrn wy. t a determined was It ways. different in deœned be could capacity The peruman , kol kai kumb, aniyatha for mango and coconut , . According to Abdul Kader the ofKunhacha stem Amini, and kumb for valiya ) VALIYA ODAM and punna including wood local ; peruman the onto abutting section sail The . koshumthala marathu or ) amarakumb 42 would be onewould be ) 41 . , which is the preferred preferred the is which , ; punna , cheerani - ta ( teak : œfth the length for Azadirachta Azadirachta peruman , chakka Tectona ada or ,

03/10/2018 12:06:23 ARCHAEONAUTICA_20.indb 215 called is this Chetlat thulam In hand. in taken of be will sewing, during seams measurement plank weightacross laid be the will which husk, coconut of of Preparation terms in keel the of length the to equal being as taken is required coir of amount The material. raw the is this which of rope also but used husk into cutting planks. the supervises and required where timber shaped coir is in the rope, which is used in sewing as well as in the the in as (œg. 4rigging well as sewing in used is which rope, the in is coir indica planks paddedwithcoconuthusk.Themastercarpenterispreparingtotakekannottam.boatshownakondalam Notethepositioningonleftofthirukkandthirrukkkolforclampingplankssewing.Alsoshowniscoirsewingoverseambetweentwo Fig. 4: of the main spine of the coconut leaf coconut the of spine main the of Balga with together ( bound row a in placed are husks the Chelat in whereas sewn, and position in placed are husks which individual over padding the forms This isstitching done to hold edges together. two parallel Amini, In dried. sun is husk the The coir requirements are also projected as not only is the the is only not as projected also are requirements coir The 3 PH,Chetlat,November, ’08. 43. is a twine made by knotting together the shredded œbres œbres shredded the together by knotting made twine a is chup . h cif apne ( carpenter chief The ). . The green covering of the coconut is removed and and removed is coconut the of covering green The . ). balga o osiue cniuu line. continuous a constitute to aa bandai tala 43 . The second usage of usage second The . hp kettle chup ) chooses naturally naturally chooses ) ) and then then and ) .

then rotating it in opposite directions. Both parties involved parties Both directions. opposite in it rotating and then shell coconut a of eye the through œbre the drawing by accomplished was plying Subsequent plying. further in bling very was yarn dou subsequent of tension the primary sustain to had it as this important, of twisting initial The hanks. œbre would now The be twisted into a back. single plybrought and converted into and out dry shaken be would would It day. and a within displacement any prevent to sand by down weighted lightly be would material The drying. sun for sand men The the on them length. spread and sea the in to œbres the wash then would according sorted be homes then the would to œbres taken The pith. the then separate to were mallet wooden a with husks pounded and The months. six about took movements. tidal placed during of process The decomposition dis are husks the nor stones the neither that so ones smaller with interspersed be would stones Big tide. low during reef husks, chosen forgreen long œbre, the would within placed be utilised in is called is building boat in utilised also rope Ordinary construction. exclusivelycraft sea in used PREPARATION OFROPE,THUTHAR oe ae rm sea from made Rope - thuthar called is coir retted shabari . For thuthar,making and is 03/10/2018 12:06:25 - -

215 Lotika Varadarajan – Odam – the quintessential sewn boat of india 216 12-Varadarajan.indd 216 Archaeonautica 20 – 2018 assorted requirements (g. 5 requirements assorted other for and anchoring rigging, in used are knots of variety exibility. reduces it as consequences havedeleterious can this but sewing in used is rope synthetic for anchor.was present times reserved the In rope pulley. Synthetic the on slip to tended latter the as ging, by the by was a simple ritual oneThe of prayer, which could be ofciated crew. the and owner the vessel, the for fortune good ensure to and safety of enhancement the for essential be to believed was these of performance The ritual. associated an of performance ASSOCIATED RITUAL be can ply 16 used to eight rigging for while sewing for used is yarn Four-ply twisting. four-ply accomplish to used was holes, shonk a called earlier implement In wooden shell. a times coconut half appropriate the utilise would eased outfromtheodam;7.Thekulachil,slipknot.Thisknotiswithoutanystrengtheningelement;8.Kettbowlineonbite,generaltermfor This knotusedtotiesaillasoor;6.Thekappalkett,bowlineknot.Whenthebalukettiisletdownintoseasecureboatbyrope is loweredandsetafloatthebarichilknotusedonropeleadingoutfromodam;5.Thekumbkulachil,clovehitchwithoutaboveasinfig. 5.3 above. hitch knot,isusedwhentherehastobeaseriesofknotsongivenlengththutharasadditionalfreeholdspacecreatedthehull.Whenbaluketti This isstrengthenedasandwhenrequiredbytheknotabove,cherukayarkett.Thekumbkulachilusedanchorbeingletdown;4. The barichil,rolling employed onthickrope,kaalbayil,usedforanchoring,pullingtheodamashoreandalsolaunching;3.Thekumbkulachilclovehitchknotting,whichcanbeundone. peruman/yard. Thethickestropeisusedforthemukilancha,asithastobearfullweightofsailwhenhoistedorlowered;2.kayyadioverhandknot, 1.Thekayyadi,doublesheetbendknot,isusedinthekalanchalowersegmentofmukilanchaandatjuncturebetween Fig. 5: kariya the as thicker either side. positionedand off on with frame the taken props ground the on October, ’86;SMKK, Andrott, March,’95. craft is dened at this stage. this at is dened craft the of capacity carrying the as stage important an is This step. to as it mast has thicker a be the little to plank has support This comprised: of these for stages performance the The carpenter. 44. KKH, Kavaratti, October, ’86; PAH, Amini, February, ’92; TK, Amini, TK, PAH,February,’92; ’86; October,Amini, Kavaratti, KKH, 44. Certain signicant stages with in the boat linked are building Certain 5. 4. 3. chief of carpenter. the 2. Honouring 1. , keel laying. vaikkal pandi Thulukettal, adithulu kettal adithulu

44 thathivekkal, Mukrithe , Kazi . In 1986 coir rope was preferred to nylon rope in rig in rope nylon to preferred was rope coir 1986 In . placing of the when the hull is sufciently advanced it is it advanced sufciently is hull the when , placing of plank upthe third from the keel. are positioned on it. are Thuthar (religious at the local level), local chief (religious the the at or ). lasted for about fty years. A years. fty about for lasted thulu . This plank has to be be to has plank This . wih a four had which , - h cntuto of construction the and inroads increasing make to began boats Mechanised coins. coins. The rice would be but distributed the boys would and keep the rice cooked containing pots covered carrying times seven boat the around go would 11 years 10to the aged boysseven of stern side right the from Starting Allah. to offered be would festivities. the into drawn be Coconuts would be broken at stem. the Prayers for good fortune also would children sung, be the would while songs special and launching the celebrate to vessel assemble would The community entire the launching. and ofdecorated be would time and date the on decide would ih the with the honoured. brought together and are activity together celebrate. to gathers Kalpeni, March,’95. KPP,1965. in odam valiya last the built Koya,Akkara Nalla and Puthiyapura tuto o the of struction - recon the made this and continued however, memory, living and Chetlat if it was felt there was no wind movement the women women the would cease sea at calm movement the that wind so sing no and was beach the on assemble there would felt was it if Chetlat and Kilton In sea. at storm of times at and rollers on shifted was being craft the when dignitary, visiting a greet to embarkation, dis embarkation, for songs special were there times earlier In late that there is still a tradition of the sewn boat in Lakshadweep. postu to correct wouldbe it times, present into have continued procedures and processes technical same the since Moreover, On completion of all these stages the owner, in consultation consultation in owner, the stages these all of completion On 11. 10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 6 HC, Amini, October, ’86. 46. However, p. 5. 1988, al. et Ouseph K.P. Pookoya that opined 45. Koya,Atta odam Bandavikalavidal Odam chuttal Odam Odam chaimaikkal Odam kanal, Odam Nalappa ottam Nalappa odam. of the , launching irrakal Odam ai Amin Kazi, . 46 . Chetlat odam the of completion on , throwing of rice and circumambulation of circumambulation and rice of throwing , odams , trial sailing , trial vlae eda, n rsetd elders, respected and headman, village , , all those involved in the building building the in involved those all , odam. of the , decoration s n uhni mdl possible. model authentic an as came to an end after 1975 the community community the 45 . The The . - -

04/10/2018 09:38 ARCHAEONAUTICA_20.indb 217 ae ons ol eeg mre i blue in marked emerge would points face down is pressed any uneven surface upper sur the tions. When opera- laundry domestic in powderBlue,used Robina as such material colouring a with smeared is plank lower the œt, fect pandi extend to the used joint or evenwood A scarf is preferred. would a keyed be scarf the to their to positioning their in the hull: erich process this being called according these mark planks the carpenters shaped. Thereafter, form in and width. grain The stem and sternposts would then be In earlier times the structure would at this point be moved to the to moved be point this at would pandiyala structure the times earlier In 10. melpalakaordhellees;11.chukkan,rudder;12.choli,toilet;13.chathricabin;14.chuduthampura,kitchen. pandiyala called is place takes building boat which under area covered The simultaneously. place take activities many fact in stages, different through traced be will building CARPENTRY PROCEDURES 1. Pandi,the Fig. 6: keel; 2-3. tannipalaka,first plank andsecondplank; 4. adi thulu,3 (KPP, Kalpeni,March,’95;KS,Chetlat,February, ’92). smeared on the surface of planks to assess smoothness in planning of the surface be used in carpentry markings. The powder would also be mixed with water and times. This would be smeared on thread. This thread called karinool would then aniyam nomenclature of the hull planking along with some other other now described. be some with along will hull the along laying plank of planking process The nomenclatures. hull the of nomenclature sea. at stress car- under behave in will elements pentry different the how precious foresee very can a they as imparts input This sailors. also are but in engage carpentry only not members all that is here factor important ioned from a naturally curving log, would then be joined by joined scarfjointing. be The then would log, curving naturally a from ioned and kumb aniyatha The alignments. plank all in followed is procedure This œt. fect per-a was there until repeated wouldbe operation The planed. 0 Koya Haji 2007, p. 19. 50. Ousephetal.1988,p. 32 49. earlier in powdered and burnt was Ÿower coconut the of spathe The 48. KS,Chetlat,February, ’92. 47. Although for purposes of clarity the processes of boat boat of processes the clarity of purposes for Although The pandi pandi 49 thalakoottuvakkal called length, entire The . where it would be placed on a support base. Since base. support a on placed be would it where and the , keel, is the œrst to timber be Aini laid. aniyam amaratha kumb amaratha amaram to the desired length. desired to the To ensure a per generally would be be would generally would measure measure would , stem and sternposts, fash- sternposts, , stem and iue 6 Figure 48 . These would be be would These . 1 1 / / 3 2 the length of length the provides the the provides that of the or maruthu , is uni- is , 47 . The The . 50 - - .

an with marked then which are four at points, aligned then is strip This half. in folded is it which after plank, the as width same the to cut and taken is leaf coconut A length. this along marked and deœned be to next has line central The reli- observance. gious brief a by marked be would it stage, signiœcant a is this pooacham the step, mast the adiThe hull. thulu the on planks the plank, in adi the used is plank, scarf fourth The thulu joint. the scarf lengthening the in used key the to ring there is no speciœc forterm joint, the cheep scarf the term kaineer called is jointnool. lap the of means by keel the to board that of the lap joint10lapis of the 2½ : that board joinery to keel the joinery board gar- the four of end each at the free left to are inches parallel Four height. œngers run will plank garboard the of rim outer the that such be will positioned be to are planks garboard the raised vertically upwards on the central line. The angle at which the and keel the between joint lap the for prepared be have to will that area the demarcates This drawn. be again will line a and by deœned the be keel, of case four will the points the in As had which leaf, section folded ofhalf the deœned keel,the would a be then folded again. The used. planks be garboard again will the leaf ofcoconut placement the deœne To fashion. nool nadu would the deœne prising the prising patti naram kariya the planks, cross forthe base palaka onnam plank, garboard the of laying the for used be also can estimate, visual by tied at the midpoint on both sides of the hull. The two other other two The hull. the of sides both on midpoint the at tied uli th 3 BP, Kadmat,November,’08.53. YR,Chetlat,November, ’08. 52. For furtherinformationontoolsused,seeKoya Haji 2007, p. 20. 51. The garboard planks will then be aligned in an angular angular an in aligned be then will planks garboard The h aglr lcmn o pak icuie f hs com- those of inclusive planks of placement angular The na palaka, onnam plank; 5. 4 While the general term for is joinery term general the While 51 . At the œrst stage of kanstage œrst nottam the At . . The line, which is outlined connecting these points, points, these connecting outlined is which line, The . thulu tanni palaka , is used for lengthening other planks on the hull. on the planks other for, is used lengthening th plank; 6. 5 , both of which have to be the thicker other than kan garboard planks. Four œngers are then then are œngers Four planks. garboard th plank; 7. 6 (eye) ( 52 œg. 6 . The proportion of the central line to line of central . proportion the The , central line, of the boat. of the line, , central nottam 53 thulu the while , ) until the mid . The process of joining the gar- the of joining process The . th plank; 8. thulu, 7 has to support the weight of weight the support to has . A tongue in groove joint, in tongue A . (sight). The same process process (sight). same The , one end of a string is string a of end one , thatha koot thatha -hull level -hull done is ad h eighth the and , th constitutes the the constitutes plank; 9. 8 or koot th refer plank; plank; 03/10/2018 12:06:27 uli - ,

217 Lotika Varadarajan – Odam – the quintessential sewn boat of india 218 ARCHAEONAUTICA_20.indb 218 Archaeonautica 20 – 2018 gum substance, gum husk. coconut mid of the angularity the to planks be positioned. used The planking position at one end ofdetermines the boat, a the master carpenter up Taking stern. and stem of midpoint to tied then are ends Fig. 7: Methodofapplicationkataranamandplacementcloth. gineus Lesson)inthemakingofkataranam (KSK, Andrott, February, ’89). tituted by the oil of kotar ( while oblongpegs, cheep, areusedinlarger vessels. also ahardwood (PBH,Kadmat,February,’89). Smallercraftuseani,treenails, cheerani, from made be also much could Pegs too February,’89). Andrott, (KAK, without effort shaped be also can but attack termite to resistant it is only 1988, p. 32-33). from aft to fore on the right side and then repeated on the left side (Ouseph et al. trial peg will be positioned on the lower plank. The preferred charuthelum preferred is The pegs plank. making lower for the wood on positioned be a and will surfaces peg both on trial chiselled and drilled be will holes this, itate the between edges upper and The lower haveplanks together.a to perfect œt. attain In order to facil brought been has row whole en assured, been ranam are placed and a strip of cloth split down the middle is then pressed pressed then is middle the the down onto split cloth of pegs The strip a and Island. placed Chetlat are at P. Hamza by demonstrated was process called is area This sternposts. and stem and planks hull the between uli ba the with out chiselled is wood extra the and sections these in incised be to width desired the out marks carpenter The master stern. and stem at curvature of areas for used those than sewing operations will commence segmentby segment commence will operations sewing chella as to is referred outboard of curvature area The and stem, the is boiled with shark liver or coconut oil until it is reduced to a a to reduced is substance it gummy until oil coconut or liver shark with boiled is are are respectively used terms The hull. of sections outer and inner the to relation chayal kandam. 56. According to Kunhi Seethi Koya,KunhiSeethi to subs- According be livercould shark oil Andrott, 56. 55. The entire length is divided into three segments and work is commenced 54. ne h pak hv be aind ln a atclr row, particular a along aligned been have planks the Once . The maximum curvature is located at the point of juncture -hull, which is straighter in proœle, is of lesser thickness thickness lesser of is proœle, in straighter is which -hull, Charuthelum, Pemphi acidula , is the hardest locally available wood. Not kith is powdered. Three parts of parts is powdered. Three kataranam kith the encompassing planks The . amaratha kalli amaratha Kataranam kataranam pantham anyatha kalli anyatha There are speciœc terms for this area of area this for terms speciœc are There 56 . The elasticity is tested before it is used. This This used. is itbefore tested is elasticity The . ( Manta birostris Donndoeff) or moron ( g 7 œg. kata The mainland. the from procured , is applied with a brush made from from made brush a with applied is is the island synonym for the natural natural the for synonym island the is . h pak ae opesd y the by compressed are planks The ). and and amaratha chella amaratha kataranam anyatha chella anyatha 55 . After a proper œt has has œt proper a After . to one part of lime of lime onepart to area are called in the case of of case the in for the stern. Nebrius ferru- 54 . until the the until kith in in - -

held in place by several strands of rope of strands several by place in held for towing, are put into place. These items, being above the the above being items, These place. into put are towing, for form mekk shape, decks in triangular added. Wooden boards, hull. inner the line ( water the , dell the indicates band white lower the which dhellees amar required, If sewers. tharacheera expert to assigned thalakoot is task This tion. timber, melpalaka thulu the of width upper a layera ofhusk called is process another by stitching The secured knot. and yarn thinner the of plies separated the through pushed twisted, is strand thicker The knot. a by between introduced is these two Itstrands. is hand into twisted needle position made secure The two. into divided is again segment thinner one The other. strands, the than two four thicker into being strand separated The is yarn strands. the and into untwisted separates it until pounded is spine the of end One frond. coconut the of spine aranam needle, The planks. garboard the construction. of completion on craft the sailing of that including functions, all Chetlat the of case the In vanished. has specialisation this times present handled by another team. Yet another group would plug holes plug would group Yet another team. another by handled be would sewing actual The processes. sewing for recesses ling jointing procedures, laying of planks, drilling of holes and chisel ofplanks, were responsible preparation for the ofcarpenters team the that recorded was it 1992 In place. into positioned been have thirrukk kol thirrukk p. 70-79. kettle. bled asmany asthirteentofourteentimesconstitutethelayerabove thechup In Amini individual husksarepositioned(PH,Chetlat,November, ’09). the main spine of the coconut leaf, which is then tied to form a continuous twine. are provided only if the planking is considered too thin too considered is planking the if only provided called are respectively are ( œxed be now will used, kariya planks, cross the which on called being task this inclusivehusk performing pith),of person the of insertion the by plugged are stitching of tion vertical lines outboard ( purathvalikkunnon called helper, his while The tightening. avali pannikar called is sewerinboard whomaster functions facilitate to peg a with positioned is stitch board œg. 8 The hull has now been built and the superstructures are now now are superstructures the and built been now has hull The The sewing operations commence with the attachment of attachment the with commence operations sewing The 2 AKT, Amini, November,62. ’09. 1998, Varadarajan see process, sewing the about details further For 61. Varadarajan 1998, œg.81. 60. dou- be could kair Sheli kair. sheli called rope quality second a is This 59. from œbre shredded balga, with together bound are husks the Chetlat In 58. KS,Chetlat,Februar, ’92. 57. thulu the levelof the until continues hull the of sewing The agabari or dell to counterpart The ). 61 chuppukaran the master carpenter has assumed total responsibility for responsibility total assumed has carpenter master the kaal . The stitching is in a crisscross pattern inboard and and inboard pattern crisscross a in is stitching The . . Amanda or kaal pilla positioning by extended further be can by which it is surmounted. Prior to this, the Ÿoor the this, to Prior surmounted. is it which by thirukk the tightening for stick the , or dhellees The . thalakoot 58 , is lined along the seam to be stitched and is and stitched be to seam the along lined is , the of side inner the onto riveted is stringer, , , the fender,, the is positioned on on outer hull the . thalakkariya ada ). Crevicesœg. 4 compleafter inboard , with limber , holes with sewnlimber are into posi- œg. 4 will be the same as the is always nailed into place. The , are positioned at stem and stern to ) . Cross planks at stem and stern stern and stem at planks Cross . on the outer hull is cheerani which for , and avali panni avali , oar post utheen and kaddakkariya 59 , sheli kair sheli , is made from the the from made is , - fntos out functions , ply (clamp), which which (clamp), chup . , kettle Chup thuthar or dhellees 60 akavari . The œrst œrst The . (coconut . Thwarts may be be may 62 , post . The The . 57 is is . In In . in in - - - ,

03/10/2018 12:06:28 ARCHAEONAUTICA_20.indb 219 The toilet. the and rudder the to access provide hull, outer the on was used for the charithiri anchasari 300 litres capacity. This was for drinking and cooking and and cooking area and kitchen the in stored wouldbe drinking for was This capacity. litres 300 to 270 of be would Each Martabani. as such ceramic, glazed or clay copper, of jars three in stored was Watervoyage. the leaves which leaf, coconut was ash. The cleaned hearth only minimal on dry the conclusion of is used fuel The hearth. the constitutes this and sand the in placed are stones Three box. sand a in undertaken was Cooking kariya the up, put is stern the Chathiri wood. local of made be can line, water side ofthecabinforaccesstorudderortoilet. post, utheen,postfortowing,chadumparakitchenshed,cholitoilet,chukkan,rudder, chathri,cabinatstern,anayathakumbstemhead,puranadaplanksonouter Seetheamanda,fender,Fig. 8: theupperlinemarkedinwhiteanddell,waterisindicatedbylowerband.Alsotobenotedare mekk,oar and they have different names ( have they names and different identity of mark a as serves also head stempost The œtted. are When the mix has the desired elasticity, i.e. when a small small over the applied is it a breaking, without pulled when be can i.e.portion elasticity, desired the has mix the When lime. quick the with mixed and ash to burnt then is husk coconut powder.dried Somea to beaten is quicklime The quicklime. kataranam used, are Two with. ingredients dealt then is in the sun and for to dry the oil to outer be The absorbed. hull is leftonto and craft the hull oil smeared inner the is liberally kataranam and plugged are hull inner the in crevices the allow itsvessel to use. All sufœcient depth a at is chukkan hull. outer stitches on the the compact to used is mallet wooden A this. do workers skilled most the bashi the of use the with planed now is hull the of face sur outer The outside. the from visible not is and interior the into position into jointing onto the inner surface of the stempost and are then tied 5 AB,Kadmat, November, ’08. 65. AMB,Kavaratti, November, ’08. 64. BPK,Kavaratti, October, ’98. 63. The vessel is now moved out of the work shed. The rudder, vessel The now is work moved shed. The of out the chuduthampura, Kataranum , is made and kept at hand to be placed after the the after placed be to hand at kept and made is , . The trunk of trunk The . 65 . The tying is also entirely accomplished from from accomplished entirely also is tying The . is then gradually added and mixed by hand. hand. by mixed and added gradually then is ice se, s lo e u ( up set also is shed, kitchen Artocarpus altilis Artocarpus . Puranada œg. 9 in front of it being called - 63 œlled 64 . The stem and sternposts sternposts and stem The . , the planks on either side side either on planks the , ). These are œtted by lap œtted are ).These chudutham , the breadfruit tree, tree, breadfruit the , is applied. Fish applied. is , the cabin at cabin the , , cooking cooking , g 8 œg. . Only Only . and and ). ). - -

tanni the of level the at tioned pooacham step, mast The place. in set is mast main both breadfruitandpineappleinKalpeni;4.chattikombidentifiedwithAndrott. komb inAndrott;3.kudumbianiyamChetlatandchakkakomb,signifying in ChetlatandpalakombAndrott;2.chunduaniyampoocha different islands. Hence we find the following appellations: 1. bhashi aniyam Stemheadsaremarksofidentityandcalledbydifferentnamesin Fig. 9: be applied. The area above this would once again be black ( be again once would this above area The applied. be this, up to a height of about 1’, a coatingAbove of ash. quickhusk coconut lime woulddried the replaced cells battery old from drawn carbon the Later, appearance. black a imparting waterline the to up surface outer the kataranam onto brushed of be would amount remaining the would husk to added coconut be dried of ash times earlier In dries immediately. This hull. the of surface outer the on stitches parallel kariya the in placed date thebaseofmast(KPP, Kalpeni,March’95). to that date, the kariya, on which the mast was to rest, was grooved to accommo- œg. 1, 8 3and After all aspects of carpentry have been accomplished the the have accomplished been of carpentry aspects all After 7 In the case of the kondalam, the mast step was introduced in 1995. Prior 67. KSK, Andrott, February, ’89. 66. . The . odam pooacham 66 ). is hauled padi across and rises through the through rises and oradi thulu into the sea. The sea. the into 67 nadu Te at is mast The . or and this , is posi is , valiya padi 03/10/2018 12:06:29 -

219 Lotika Varadarajan – Odam – the quintessential sewn boat of india 220 ARCHAEONAUTICA_20.indb 220 Archaeonautica 20 – 2018 Once itOnce is up, causes to these pressure the snap away.fall and provides support material This as temporary the sail is lifted. peruman onto the sail the tie to used also whichis material, tackle, tender coconut kaiadikkal leaf is to shredded form a light pa binding called being cess 1991 A. D¼Á¶¸¹» 1980 N. C¹»¿¿»¸À 1961 ½¾ I·±»² C¼·´¶´ 1986 L. C²´´½· 1999 B²´² K. 1990 S. R., F¼µ·²·±½ B., K²µ²·» Aµ¶·²¸¹²º²³ 2002 B. Aµ¶·²¸¹²º²³ 1988 R.M. A±²³´ the to tied is below. sail one Ÿat main The a and surface spherical upper an presenting each segments is made by slicing the towards the construction techniques of sewn hulled boats, of which she she which of boats, hulled sewn of techniques construction the towards research her turn to her led world maritime the for feeling her also and textiles in interest Her great weaving techniques. of study to artisanal the of her career historian who, after research into pre into research after who, historian 1934 November (28 Varadarajan Lotika LOTIKA VARADARAJAN 8 AP, New Delhi. 68.

Designed Flexibility in a Sewn Boat of the Western Indian Indian Western the of Boat Sewn a in Flexibility Designed India, from goods of shipping the and 40822 G Vindob P. Sewn boats in the western Indian Ocean and a survival in in survival a and Ocean Indian western the in boats Sewn Early Trade in the Indian Ocean: Perspectives on Indo- on Perspectives Ocean: Indian the in Trade Early

276), p. 289-302. 10; Series, BAR Series, Int. Archaeological Greenwich, (NMM, to sented a at in Greenwich November, 1984 conference pre- Boats. those on Plank based papers Sewn Ethnographic (eds), and Kentley Archaeological E. McGrail, S. in Ocean, in Propulsion, and Construction Structure, Hull Japan: of Dugouts IJNA Somalia, Sea Arabian the in Island An Chetlat, 23.3-4, Papyrologists, of Society p. 73-79. American the of Bulletin p. 29-71. Int., Books (ed.), K.S. Behera in 500), AD to BC 400 (c. Contacts Maritime Asian east Bombay of University Geography, of Navigational (unpublished). Department 1, and Culture and Minicoy, Indian and of Building Boat and Practices Traditions Lakshadweep Indigenous Navigation, Project, CSIR-NISTADS Society. Navigation Sea Indian of Heritage Association of CSNAME, p. 197-214. of CSNAME, Association Teachers History Marine Engineering, Marine and Architecture 1991 Shanghai, Proceedings Sailing Ships of History Conference International aiie eiae f India of Heritage Maritime , 9.4, p. 297-309. urul , Shanghai, Shanghai Society of Naval Naval of Society Shanghai Shanghai, , , rounded log, into two horizontal horizontal twolog, into rounded , - colonial trade in India, dedicated a part part a dedicated India, in trade colonial , Heras Institute of Indian History History Indian of Institute Heras , . Apart from the regular regular the from Apart . - 9 October 2017) was an ethno , Mumbai, Maritime History History Maritime Mumbai, , Socio-Economic Report. , Socio-Economic peruman , New Delhi, Aryan Aryan Delhi, New , , the pro the , , Oxford REFERENCES South - - - . , ical effort involved rudder effort of use ical the constant the in cutting the through waves and water. It also reduces the phys 8 3, (œg. 1, stem As the As importance of her work within the international scientiœc community. scientiœc international the work within of her importance (2011)Sea the and Gujarat to the publication and testify conference The coast. nautical the into reference. research œeld as Islands well standard as of along the and Gujarati the Andaman Nicobar construction extensive the conducted become also has Varadarajan studies, L. ethnographic of deal great architecture of sewn boats of the Laccadivethe on Islands,work which Her was the resultexperts. of a recognised internationally great the of one became tinue to remember the past heritage and honour the great great the sport. and arevival tourism in through honour tradition maritime and heritage past the remember to tinue con will islands the that it hoped is vessels of Lakshadweep 1981 P.P½³¼Ä 1988 A.V.,O¶´¼Æ¹ P.V., J²³¼´ W. H²Ç»Ç¶ºº²¹ 2007 K½Ä² N. H²Å» 2012 F. R½³²·»´ D¼ 1985 P.-M²·Á¶»· 1920 J. H½µ·¼ºº 1993 A. G¼½µÁ¼ 2000 M. Fº¼¸À¼µ 1993 1942 1946 Although Although today havecraft mechanised replaced the sailing

Méditerranée, de cousus bateaux les et Bon-Porté L’épave de Playing Sudoku Playing on Sudoku verso the Papyrus »:of « Muziris the Pepper, tnaie lsiiain f rb sea- Arab of classification tentative A

Journal of the Economic Economic the of Journal Sea, China South of the Ships Trading The origins and ethnological significance of Indian boat boat Indian of significance ethnological and origins The

A 9 A odam Making Lakshadweep IJNA The Mariner’s Mirror, Mariner’s 67,The 3, p. 225-244. Books. Current Culture, and History Lakshadweep Kottayam, Heritage of Search In / Thedi Paitharukam Theerathe Sagaria Sewn (eds), The Islands its and Suryanarayan Ocean V. Indian Arunachalam, B. Chandra, Navigation Traditional and Trade 1850 in Lakshadweep, History Indian Ancient of Journal the of cargo the in Shell Tortoise and Malabathron designs, , 36, 3,, 36, p. 253-280. Orient the of History Social and p. 319-343. 276), Series, Int. BAR 10; Series, Archaeological Greenwich, 1984 November, in Greenwich at rence confe- a to presented those on based papers Ethnographic and Archaeological Boats. Plank E. S. Kentley (eds),McGrail, Sewn Mirror University Press. University Cambridge Cambridge, Evolution, Early and Transport Water Y. wafts its way across the waters, the shape of the the of shape the waters, the across way its wafts th century Arab or Indian Shipwreck in Indonesian Waters, Indonesian in Shipwreck Indian or Arab century , 29.2, p. 199-217. -Plank Craft of South-East Asia, A Preliminary Survey, in A Preliminary Asia, of South-East Craft -Plank , 28, 1,, 28, p. 11-40 ) streamlines and ) course enhances keeping streamlines by , New Delhi, Census of India 1981, X-D of India Series- Census Part , New Delhi, Memoirs of the Asiatic Society of Bengal of Society Asiatic the of Memoirs A Study in Traditional Rural based Craft based Rural Traditional in , A Study , New Delhi, Sage Publication, p. 128-148. Sage Publication, , New Delhi, , 27, p. 75-101. , Oxford, BAR (NMM, (NMM, BAR Oxford, , craft, The Mariner’s Mariner’s The , p. 139- Hermapollo, Hermapollo, 68 - 1950, in S. S. in 1950, . Odam Odam , 246. 30. - - , 03/10/2018 12:06:29 ARCHAEONAUTICA_20.indb 221 Chetlat, February ‘89 February Chetlat, SK, as cited Chetlat, Officer, Development Block Additional Koya, Sayed ‘92 February Chetlat, KS, as cited Shaikh, Kunnel November ’08 Chetlat, PH, as cited Chetlat, P. Hamza, Chetlat ’86 October Amini, T. TK, as Koya, cited ‘92 February, PAH, as Amini, Haji, cited Ahmad Pura ’86 October Amini, HC, as cited Kapttachettea, Hamsa ’95 March Amini, TK, as Koya, cited Thoopiakal ‘89 February, Amini, AKK, as cited Kunhacha, Kader Abdul November ‘09 AKT, Amini, as cited Koya Thiruvathapura, Atta Amini ‘89 February Andrott, KAK, as cited Karim, Abdul Kunhacha ’89 February Andrott, KSK, as Koya, cited Seethi Kunhi ‘95 March SMKK, as cited Koya Kunhali, Mohamad Saiyid ’92 February Andrott, MNK, as cited M.N.Koyammahaji, Andrott ‘08 November Chetlat, YR, as cited Chetlat, carpenter, chief Rapiapura, Yusuf New AP, as cited Delhi, Delhi New Navy, Indian Prakash, Anup Commander 1985 T. S¼Ê¼µ»· 1999 I.K. S¹²µ³² 2015 S.R. S²µ³² 2014 R½³¼µ½ 2004 R²Å²³²·»¸À²³ G.V. ue fr adva Taig hp Taeln Ara (1925) Abroad Travelling Ships Trading Maldivian for Rules srnmcl ntuet i Ida i C LN Rgls (ed.), Ruggles L.N. C. in India, in Instruments Astronomical Constructing the Omani Boom Sohar, in S. McGrail, E. Kentley Boom Sohar, in S. McGrail, Omani the Constructing Indian Seafaring Traditions: Archaeological Perspectives, in in Perspectives, Archaeological Traditions: Seafaring Indian

-Fµ»²´ X. -Fµ»²´ rhelgcl eis 1; A Itrainl eis 276), Series, p. 279-302. International BAR 10; Series, 1984 Archaeological November, in Greenwich at conference a to presented those on based papers (eds), India of p. 1-10. Int., Books Aryan Heritage Maritime (ed.), Behera K.S. p. 2007-2010. Science, York, Springer Ethnoastronomy and Archaeoastronomy of Handbook Traditional Indian Ship Building University in Krakow in University and Faculty of Political Studies of International the Jagiellonian Ceylon, Politeja. Southern in The JournalSojourn a and of the New Delhi, New Academic Publishers. New Academic New Delhi, Sewn Plank Boats. Archaeological and Ethnographic Ethnographic and Archaeological Boats. Plank Sewn , p. 67-84. , Oxford, BAR (NMM, Greenwich, Greenwich, (NMM, BAR Oxford, , , Memories , History LIST OFRESOURCEPERSONS LIST OFINFORMANTS , New Delhi, Delhi, New , , Technology New , , 1991b 2004 (Ed L. V²µ²±²µ²Å²· 1983 L. V²µ²±²µ²Å²· 2005 T.S. Sµ»±¹²µ B.P. Koyama Haji, cited as BPK, Kavaratti, October ’98 October B.P. BPK, Kavaratti, as Haji, cited Koyama ‘87 October Kavaratti, PMK, as Koya,P. cited Mohammed ‘95 January Kavaratti, KMH, as Haji, cited Mohammad K. ‘86 October Kavaratti, KKH, Koya as Kojan Haji, cited February’92 HV, as cited Kavaratti, Velipura, Hamsath KM, as cited 1987, February ’87 in Kavaratti, 84 aged Kada, Koyama Malmi, Kidabe Kavaratti ’95 March K.P. KPP, as Pookoya, Kalpeni, cited ‘95 March Kalpeni, MKKK, as Koya, cited Kunhi M.K. Kalpeni February,’89 PBH, Kadmat, as P.B. cited Hamza, ‘95 March PAH, as Kadmat, Haji, cited Abossala Pathada BP, November ‘08 as B. Pookoya, cited Kadmat, November ‘08 Kadmat, AB, as cited Abdulla, Acharabioda ‘95 March Kadmat, AH, as Haji, cited Abdul Kadmat Mr Panicker, Fisheries Office and Boat Building Yard, Chetlat, cited as as cited Chetlat, Yard, ’89 February Building Chetlat, Panicker, Boat and Office Fisheries Panicker, Mr November ’08 Kavaratti, AMB, as cited Kavaratti, Misbah, A.M. ‘95 April, Kavaratti, AM, as cited Nadu, Vallioor, Tamil Manikfan, Ali M. 2006 1998 1987 1991a The The Kalivarjya, of Reality and Precept The Seafaring: Indian Commodity Structure and Indian Participation in the Trade of Trade the in Participation Indian and Structure Commodity

Indian Rutters: The Indigenous Tradition, in L. Varadarajan Varadarajan L. in Tradition, Indigenous The Rutters: Indian

lnaklm A Acet oa Pr Ct o Tml Nadu Tamil of City Port of of Archaeology, Government . Department , Roman Ancient An Alangankulam: ioiis n ni’ Ws Coast West India’s on Minorities (ed.), Gupta A. in Gujarat, in Activity Maritime on Perspectives p. 425-433 Relations International, Lancer Asian (ed.), Gonsalves E. in AD, ries Institute of Oceanography. Institute The Great Circle e Dli Cnr d Hsói d Ae Mr Lso, New Lisbon, Mar, p. 468-475. Alem International, Books de Aryan Delhi, História de Centro Delhi, New Culture Technology and (ed.), Oceanography. Lakashadweep, of Boats Sewn p. 1-16. Publications, Kalinga the Southern Seas, circa Ninth to Thirteenth Centuries, in in Politics and Commerce Centuries, History, in Explorations Thirteenth Ocean: Indian to The (ed.), Ninth S. Chandra circa Seas, Southern the Dimensions of intra Rahmani noPruus Encounters Indo-Portuguese .) , 51,11 p. 1- f .. Lakashadweep M.P. of - Asian trade contacts circa 9 , Delhi, Sage, p. 90-108. , Delhi, , II, Indian National Science Academy, Science National Indian II, , Panaji, Goa, National Institute of Institute National Panaji, Goa, : History & Society Journeys in Science, Science, in Journeys , , Panaji, Goa, National National Goa, Panaji, , th to 15 , New Delhi, Delhi, New , th , Delhi, Delhi, , centu 03/10/2018 12:06:29 - ,

221 Lotika Varadarajan – Odam – the quintessential sewn boat of india