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Kaanum Pongal will be celebrated in a grand manner in Chennai tomorrow as the Annual Chennai Boat Race at the amusement park 'Kishkinta' has begun.
Inaugurated by K P K Kumaran,
MP, on Sunday, the teams participating in the boat races have come all
the way from Kerala. Twenty oarsmen, six teams from various colleges affiliated
to the Mahatma Gandhi University, Kotta-yam, are participating in this
grand event and along with them, 50 fishermen from Royapuram, Chennai,
and 12 rowing specialists from Madras Boat Club have joined the bandwagon
to compete for honours.
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wonderful time at the amusement park Kishkinta where the annual Chennai Boat Race has begun. Photo: R G
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After formally flagging off the races, Kumaran said the race conducted here not only attracts tourists but also conveys the message that it is a great sport.
Congratulating Appachan, chairman, Kishkinta, for bringing this event to Chennai, Kumaran said that for the residents of the city this race would be a treat. The types of boats used in this event are: Churulan, fishermen boats, duck boats, white water kayaks, single and two- seater scull, Kochu Vallam and the attractive water-scooters.
It is said that 100- year-old boats which are popular in Kerala were being used in this race. At the opening ceremony, Flyerz Dance troupe company performed a moon-ball dance on a floating dais as part of the celebrations and a western dance by them brought some cheer from the spectators.
Participants who were divided into teams took part in the inaugural race with vigour. However, after the race was started some of them did not reach the end-point as their boats capsized. The special attraction was the water-scooter which was 'ridden' by Win-TV fame Sanjeevi.
Tambaram MLA S R Raja also took part in the inaugural function.
The event would be on till 17 January apart from the regular attractions at the amusement park and needless to say it would be worth a watch.