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Countdown to carnival

The Cochin Carnival is fun unlimited.

IT'S CARNIVAL time and Fort Kochi dons the air of celebration. Fairs, circus, music recitals, dances, races, and food festivals are in full swing to conclude with the most- looked- forward- to event, the Cochin Carnival parade, on January 1, through the famed Heritage zone.

10 -years- ago

An event born almost 10 years ago, with the `International Year of Youth' being announced by the United Nations, it started with the formation of the Cochin Carnival committee that today boasts of 90 clubs of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry.

Based on the UN slogan of peace, participation and progress its activities commence, for this grand celebration, customarily on the first Sunday of the month. Groups of people including representatives of the Indian Navy, ex-jawans, the local R.D.O., members of the Corporation, and students from various local schools along with the carnival committee gather at the war memorial in front of St. Francis Church to pay their respectsFollowing which flags of the committee and of the various participating clubs are hoisted at the Vasco-Da-Gama Square in an atmosphere of solemnity and excitement.

Activities

So from now until January 2, 2005, continuous celebrations will enliven Fort Kochi. Presently, ongoing is the National Trade and Tourism fair at the Veli maidan that includes stalls and seminars on various issues like tourism, development opportunities and on the Vallarppadam Container Terminal, to end every evening with entertainment programmes.

At the Dronacharya Ground, amusement activities like the Ferris wheel and merry- go-round are for the amusement of the children. Other activities include beach football, a shuttle tournament, bharatanatyam, veena recital, classical music until December 31.

Participants

Great effort has gone into holding the celebrations. Says, Sibi who heads the organisation `Koopadam Brothers' preparing to take part in the float competition on January 1, "As far as the idea goes, we conceive it a year in advance, and this year we decided on the theme based on `Kalamandalam' for which we spent considerable amount of time and money researching on the subject. We pay attention to the architectural details, costumes and even the make up. We spent time at Thrissur, met Kathakali artists and talked to them in order to make it as original as possible." He informs that professional make-up artists and actors are brought to do the job. "In fact we choose the actors very carefully, where an all-men team should be able to take up roles of women as well." Venu who is in charge of G.V.P., Pandikudi explains that work has been going on a continuous basis for the past two weeks. He says that to add drama they have completely avoided the use of a lorry as a tableau and instead have opted for a 50 feet trailer for the display."

Beach Moto Cross, 2004

Another thrilling and annual event is the Beach Moto Cross, 2004. Held by the Cochin Racing Club, intense preparations are on for it. Informs, Shafeeque, President of the club, "Special tracks are being set on the beach. Affiliated to the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India, the race is based on the rules and regulations of the federation. We grant them a special license later followed by a scrutiny of the bikes on the day of the event."

Much is the effort that has gone into making the carnival an event of grand jubilation for one and all to enjoy.

TANYA ABRAHAM

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