ALAPPUZHA: The excitement for the 71st Nehru Trophy Boat Race on August 30th has been heightened by a vibrant boat song (Vanchippattu) competition. The event, held at Mullakkal Jones Ground (Kainakary Surendran Nagar), was inaugurated by MLA P.P. Chitharanjan.
Organized by the Infrastructure Committee, the competition drew a large crowd of enthusiasts who cheered and clapped along to the songs. The ground was filled with the electrifying energy of the boat race, as teams from various districts performed in the Kuttanad, Aranmula, and Vechi Pattu styles.
Former MLA C.K. Sadasivan presided over the inaugural ceremony, with ADM Asha C. Abraham raising the flag. Thangachan Achari, who built the special boat for the competition, was also honored.
The closing ceremony was inaugurated by MLA H. Salam. He, along with singer Sudheep Kumar and former MLA C.K. Sadasivan, presented the prizes to the winning teams.
Competition Winners:
Kuttanad Style – Junior Girls: St. Joseph High School, Nalakodi (First); Haripad Govt. H.S.S (Second); St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Champakulam (Third).
Kuttanad Style – Senior Girls: St. Theresa’s College, Ernakulam (First); Nadakkavu Govt. V.H.S.S (Second); South Aryad Lutheran H.S.S (Third).
Vechi Pattu – Women: Samadarshini Vanchippattu Team, Kozhikode (First); Neerkunnam Sisters Vanchippattu Team (Second); Kainakary Anugraha Vanchippattu Team (Third).
Vechi Pattu – Men: Thathampally PAC Library (First); Neerkunnam Chembakassery Vanchippattu Team (Second); Elanthoor Ravens (Third).
Kuttanad Style – Women: Samadarshini Vanchippattu Team, Kozhikode (First); Kainakary Nava Bhavana Kalavedi (Second); Ambalappuzha Vilippuram Vanchippattu Team (Third).
Kuttanad Style – Men: Neerkunnam Chembakassery Vanchippattu Team (First); Neerkunnam Sree Durga Vanchippattu Team (Second); Alappuzha Pioneer Vanchippattu Team (Third).
Aranmula Style – Men: Elanthoor Ravens Vanchippattu Team (First); Smaranaravindam Nanthuni Vanchippattu Team (Second); Cherukol Kikkozhur Team (Third).
A consolation prize was awarded to St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Champakulam, in the Kuttanad Style – Junior Boys category.
The winning Kuttanad-style men’s and women’s teams also received the Kainakary Surendran Endowment prize of Rs. 10,001 each, presented by Surendran’s children. Municipal Chairperson K.K. Jayamma presided over the closing ceremony.
With input from PRD Kerala
For more details: Navamalayalam.com
