TRIPUNITHURA: Kochiites can get to experience the thrill and charm of Champakkara Jalolsavam on Saturday. This will be a rare chance to watch a snake boat race from a close range. “In all other boat races in Kerala viewers get to watch the race from galleries situated far away from the lake,” said P D Sreekumar, one of the organisers of Champakkara Jalolsavam. So they will get only a bird’s eye view of the finishing lap. However, as the Champakkara Canal has thickly populated shores on either sides the people can enjoy the thrilling race and the rhythmic boat songs from a nearer point, he said. This year three famous snake boats, including Sree Vinayaka, Pulinkunnu and St George, will participate in the race. The sight of more than 100 rowers in typical uniforms is worth watching. Moreover, the rhythmic beats of the rowers are a charm in itself. Besides the ‘chundan vallams’ (snake boats) other challenging categories like ‘odi’, iruttukuthi’ and ‘kothumbu vallam’ will also take part in the race. “We are planning to include ‘vanchi paattu’ with the active participation of experts from Kuttanad to add a conventional flavour to the show,” Sreekumar said. The boat race will begin at 2 pm and the initial rounds will see ‘odi’ and ‘iruttukuthi’ categories participating. As the track is straight from Thykoodam bridge on the Highway to the Champakkara Bridge along Sahodaran Ayyappan Road, the spectators will get a clear view of the charming snake boats and can share thrilling moments with the rowers.
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