Goosebumps from Nehru Trophy Boat Race: Gauthami Nair

Though her roots lay deep in the exuberance of the meaty Kuttanad,  young actor Gauthami Nair had to wait till 2015 to witness her homeland’s scintillating tradition: the boat race, especially the Nehru Trophy Boat Race (NTBR). The actor who shot to fame through the Lal Jose flick Diamond Necklace regrets skipping the mindblowing moments in the Punnamada backwaters, but she has a reason:  she was born and brought up in the UAE.

As Alappuzha is gearing up for the gala event to be held on August 13, Gauthami recollects her debut experience as an NTBR spectator last year.   “I felt nothing exciting when I was invited to watch the race and was seated in the front row at the pavilion.” 

“I settled in my seat with a yawn amid the buzz of the huge crowd. Till the race started, I had no idea how it would begin and end. But when it began, I suddenly had goosebumps. The snake boats rushed forward like cheetahs and I jumped to my feet forgetting myself, waving hands and shouting in tune with the rhythm of paddles.  It was a feeling I have never experienced in life,” she recalls.

A native of Kavalam, Gauthami says the vibe created by last year’s Nehru Trophy Race still remains fresh in her mind. However, she is unhappy that she would give it a miss this time. “It’s bad luck. I could not manage to be there this year as the University examinations are due,” says the post-graduate student in Psychology at the Government Women’s College, Thiruvananthapuram.      

“Our house is located just a few kilometres away from Punnamada. Though I was brought up in the UAE, I am a Kuttanadan girl at heart,” says Gauthami, who has decided to avoid the VIP chairs next time and let herself enjoy the exciting moments with the roar of Vanchipattu.     

Asked about her favourite Chundan, she said none had secured a special place in her heart as the charm of all boats remains the same. Stressing that she now become an ardent fan of boat races, she finds it hard to explain why she was so impressed by the race. “May be, it’s the popularity or the tradition,” she says. Whatever it is, it was her long-cherished dream to witness a boat race and it happened last year.