23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Drone/Aerial
Rhythm of Devotion

At dawn in Kerala, India, hundreds of rowers gather for the famed Vallamkali boat race — a centuries-old celebration that blends sport, spirit, and song. From above, the synchronized oars and vivid parasols form a tapestry of unity and energy, capturing the pulse of a tradition that binds community, culture, and river together.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2025
Date Uploaded: 10.2025
Photo Location: Aranmula, India
Copyright: © Arun Kumar Nalimela