Kerala: Women paddle their presence

Alappuzaha: The Nehru Trophy Boat Race in Punnamada lake, Alappuzha, is dominated by men, but women  are also not lagging in their fighting spirits. Five women’s teams, one less than that of last year,  have registered for the competitions in the Thekkinodi category for the 64th edition of the mega show which will be held on August 13. They cannot match the power of the men rowers and hence they may be called the ‘cheer girls’ of Punnamada, who will flex their muscles in the shimmering backwaters to the delight of the massive gathering. The women of Alappuzha excel in their paddling power as the boat race is  a traditional festival of their villages.

The women rowers wear traditional white saris and blouses, their hairs tied into knots and wrapped with the jasmine string. When they finish the one kilometre distance in style, the spectators applaud them. The women power in the NTBR had an  international look in 2006 when a group of foreigners came from the UAE led by Julie Amer, a Briton settled in Dubai, and rowed a boat along  with local women. They came in the next edition as well and boosted  the confidence of the local women.  

Janatha Shaji, 30, captain of  Friends Woman Boat Club, Punnamada, two-time champion in the A grade Thekkinodi category, is  busy with the preparations for  NTBR.  She  is a born rower as she goes to  town from her home in a country boat. She will lead a 35-member team in the Thekkinodi category this year.  A daily allowance of Rs 600 is  given to each woman rower in her boat.  “It’s an  expensive affair for us and we get a pittance of Rs 60,000 as grant from the NTBR society every year,” she says.

Meanwhile, the women from neighbouring areas also participate in the race.  But Kuttanadan women have more stamina  and so  boat clubs  rope in the maximum number of the locals  in their boats.     “Mentoring them is a good experience,” says Sujatha, a member of Vembanad Lake Women's Boat Club. Getting rhythmic throw of paddle to the waters is not an easy job. It  needs weeks of hard practice and dedication. The music of paddle is ingrained in every Kuttanadan’s mind irrespective of gender. So, they can grab it easily once they enter the battle,” she says.   

“Though women marked their presence in the mega event three decades ago, there are few takers for boat races in the new generation to carry this tradition forward,”   Geetha Pullukulangara, 52, a member  of Sangeetha Boat Club, Punnamada, said. Geetha, a teacher, was  attracted to the boat races  since her childhood.  She participated in Devas Chunddan which won titles several times, including a hat-trick  during 2013-‘15.  She was one of the leading woman members when the foreigners rowed the boat in 2006 and 2007.

“We were surprised by their dedication and commitment to learn  how to handle the paddles. They  had a burning desire to learn and be part of  the team,”  she recalls. A competition for women in the snake boat category still remains a dream. An exception for this was a display contest by women in 2012. These women  hope that one day they can ride a majestic snake boat and  cross the finish line in style.