| MUMBAI:
Amrita TV has made meticulous and extensive arrangements to telecast LIVE, the
prestigious Nehru Trophy Boat Race on the 8th of August, having secured its exclusive
satellite rights for the third year in a row.
Amrita TV will be beaming
the action packed races from 2pm around the globe, so that it is not only the
natives of the picturesque villages of Kuttanad or the 2 lakhs tourists who descend
on Alappuzha for the event, who will be witnessing the spectacular aqua sports
.
The Nehru Trophy Boat Races are the world's biggest water sports event,
held annually on the second Saturday of every August in the Punnamada lake of
Alappuzha. It has been reported that Ms Sonia Gandhi will be Chief Guest this
year.
Though there are races for different boat types such as Churulans,
Iruttukuthis, Veppu etc it is the 100 feet long, famed hundred seater Navy boats
of yore, the Chundanvalloms or snake boats who hold pride of place in the event.
Legend has it that 400 years ago, the rulers of certain fiefdoms of Chempakasseri,
Thekkumkoor Vadakkumkoor etc were at loggerheads with each other; The Raja of
Chempakasseri who always ended up on the losing side because of his heavy &
cumbersome navy, ordered his chief architect to come up with new designs. He
responded with a sleek, eel like 100 seater which combine swiftness, lightness
and maneuverability. The Raja never lost a battle after that. And the Chundans
have reigned supreme over the backwaters since then.
Participating in the Boat
Race is a matter of pride for every Kuttanadite and they start preparations long
months in advance.
Over a 100 of the most athletic, well-built young men
are selected to man each boat. The races are so sacred, they take a vow of celibacy
& abstinence and practice for hours on end together to be in perfect synchronization
. It is said that if even one oarsman dips his paddle wrong once, the boat will
lose the race.
The 57th Nehru Trophy Boat race will feature 17 Chundans,
Veppu - 8 in category A & 5 in Category B, Iruttukuthys -5 in A category &
15 in Category B, 5 Churulans and 4 Thekkanodis. Interestingly, women will also
be in the fray with some foreigners forming part of a team.
Amrita TV
will carry special stories on the race in all its news bulletins leading up to
the Race
On August 8th , when the placid waters of the Punnamada lake breaks
into tumultuous ripples under the slicing oars of the paddlers rowing in rhythm
to the chants of the 'Kuchelavritham Vanchipattu' Amrita TV will capture for its
viewing millions, the pulsating excitement of the most competitive water sporting
festival on earth. | 