Houseboats to flaunt art forms this Onam

Alappuzha: Kerala’s traditional art forms including Kathakali and Velakali will be part of the special cultural entertainment show on offer for the first time in the houseboat sector at the Nehru pavilion with the backwaters as backdrop. Onam season witnesses a rise in foreign and domestic tourists and houseboat operators are busy selling special packages off and online.

There are 800 registered houseboats plying the backwaters of Punnamada Lake. As per data, around 3lakh tourists visited Alappuzha last year. Mr Tomy Pulaikkattil, a prominent houseboat owner and one of the organisers of the show, said “'We had introduced Kathakali, Velakali, Mohinyattom and other traditional art forms on houseboats for some years. This time a special show ticket would also be added to our Onam packages. Fireworks using Chinese crackers would be another attraction.”

Saying that travel companies demanded such cultural and traditional programmes, he added that the package would be priced at Rs 7500 for a couple per day during Onam season. This apart, also planned was serving local toddy, which had many takers among tourists. “Tourists, especially foreigners, have always shown interest in sipping toddy while cruising. We are trying to include toddy in the package this time”, he said.

Switten George, Vice President, All Kerala House Owners Association (AKHOA), said that they were getting bookings for the packages. Expecting a better Onam season this time, he said that new ideas like cultural shows along the tranquil backwaters would help the industry attract international tourists. “Since this cultural show is a new venture, it would take a couple of years to get a steady flow of tourists,” he added.   Lyju Daniel, a houseboat operator, said he had organised many folk art forms on houseboats,  and they were a hit among tourists. However, he added that unexpected strikes could have a ripple effect in the tourism industry.