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Amrita TV to present Live telecast of Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2009

Section: TV Briefs Category: Media

Media News
Trivandrum, Aug 05, 2009

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.

For further information, please contact:

Amrita TV
Smitha Sivaji
Mob:9895806303
Email: smithas@amritatv.com

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