Rowing all the way to Olympics!
Published November 18, 2009 | Snake Boat race lovers who flock to “The Land of Snake Boats” just to be a part of the boat race fervor are in for some good news. You can keep your eyes open and lookout for the 2012 London Olympics. For people who have not yet had the blessed opportunity to see the wonderful sight of a snake-boat being manned by 100-125 oarsmen, who along with four helmsmen, paddle in unison to the swift cadence of ‘vanchipattu’ (song of boatmen) sung by 25 singers (who never illustrate a slight dwindle in their enthusiasm all throughout the race) – this is the time to get lucky! The Snake boat race may make an international debut at the forthcoming Olympics.
Unlike most of the Olympic events (individual competitions), here is a sport which epitomizes integration, harmony and team spirit. If everything falls in line with the plan chalked out by Keraleeyam (a non-government organization with headquarters in the State’s capital), the boat race is expected to be held on the River Thames. The NGO has charted out a plan to exhibit five leading ‘chundans’ or snake-boats on the Thames as a part of the inaugural ceremony functions. Mr. Keith Vaz, Member, British House of Commons has guaranteed all support for conducting the event in London.
Keraleeyam is leaving no stone unturned in making the event popular and has also decided to demonstrate a snake-boat race as part of the Cambridge-Oxford University water sports festival to be held in 2010.
So far, snake boat races have remained confined to the Kerala backwaters and are a matchless attraction. Keralaites love these boat races and even movies which revolve around them have turned out to be blockbusters.
Wait till you get to see them and you will understand why this sport is the Malayali’s favorite!
