Kerala - Kochi   

Eroor-Chambakkara boat race to be held on Thursday

Staff Reporter

Twenty boats to compete in race

KOCHI: Twenty boats, including four snake boats, will vie for the top slot in the Eroor-Chembakkara Jalotsavam 2006 in the Chambakkara backwaters on Thursday.

The annual boat race was launched 21 years ago under the aegis of the Janakeeya Committee. It is now being organised by the Eroor Pereekkad Boat Club. This is the first time that four chundans (snake boats) are participating in the race — Karichal, Chambakulam, Jawahar Thayankari and Sree Ganesh. Minister for Home and Tourism Kodiyeri Balakrishnan will flag off the vent.

"For the first time, we have planned water sports (skiing, diving, etc.) demonstrations during break time. A team led by Perumbalam Murali will perform the demonstrations," said James Mathew, general convener of the Jalotsavam.

While each of the chundans can carry 110 oarsmen, an `iruttukutti' can carry 28 to 32 oarsmen. Adding colour to the event will be tableaux and traditional art forms such as `theyyam' and `kathakali.'

Three pavilions will be set up at vantage points on the 1,000-metre racing track, for seating people with passes. The other viewers will, as usual, throng the sides of the backwaters to witness the much-awaited event. The chundans will take anywhere between five to six minutes to cover the 1,000-metre distance.

Mr. Mathew said the event would be insured, to ensure the safety of participants.

Last year, the racing track was just 600 metres and there was participation from 11 boats.

We have made some modifications this year to make the event attractive.

Fisheries Minister S. Sarma will give away the prizes.

Coming in the peak of the monsoons, the annual jalotsavam might in the long run turn out to be a must-watch itinerary in the State's monsoon-tourism calendar.

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