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യുക്മ വള്ളംകളി – Sojan Joseph MP to Flag Off UUKMA Boat Race 2025 in Rotherham; Actress Neha Saxena to Grace Closing Ceremony

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Mayor Rukhsana Ismail to Inaugurate Cultural Conference; FOKANA President Sajimon Antony and Councillor Sajish Tom Among Distinguished Guests

The much-anticipated 7th UUKMA Boat Race – First Call Keralapooram 2025 will set sail on Saturday, August 30, at the scenic Manvers Lake, Rotherham. The grand water festival will be officially flagged off by Sojan Joseph MP, the first Malayali elected to the British Parliament, representing Ashford in Kent.

This year’s Boat Race has drawn unprecedented excitement, with 42 teams (31 men’s teams and 11 women’s teams) preparing to compete, making it one of the largest ever Malayali community water festivals in the UK.


Cultural Extravaganza Alongside the Boat Race

Adding to the festive atmosphere, a grand Cultural Conference will be inaugurated by Rotherham Mayor, Cllr. Rukhsana Ismail, while FOKANA President Sajimon Antony will attend as the distinguished guest.

Hundreds of artists from across the UK will take the stage, presenting a vibrant mix of Kerala’s traditions and modern performances, including:

  • Theresa’s Onachantham Malayali Sundari contest (തെരേസാസ് ഓണച്ചന്തം മലയാളി സുന്ദരി മത്സരം)

  • Thiruvathira Fusion Flames (തിരുവാതിര ഫ്യൂഷൻ ഫ്ളെയിംസ്)

  • Chilamb Nadanpattu Band (ചിലമ്പ് നാടൻപാട്ട് ബാൻഡ്)

  • Chenda Melam, Theyyam, Pulikali (ചെണ്ടമേളം, തെയ്യം, പുലികളി)

  • Various classical and fusion dance performances

Running Commentary to Fire Up the Excitement

One of the highlights of the UUKMA Boat Race is the running commentary, which brings the thrill of the oars cutting through the water alive for both rowers and spectators. The commentary team will be led by the ever-popular CA Joseph, known for his rich, lively narration that blends literature, folklore, village idioms, history, and traditional vanchippattu.

Joining him will be:

  • Georgekutty Punnamada (Ireland)

  • Thomas Paul (Stoke-on-Trent)

  • Johnson Kalappurackal (Preston)

  • Jino Sebastian (Nuneaton)

Together, this seasoned panel is set to electrify both the live audience at Manvers Lake and viewers worldwide through the live broadcast on Magna Vision TV.


Closing Ceremony with Star Power

The Closing Ceremony of the Boat Race 2025 will feature celebrity guest Neha Saxena, the popular film actress who made her Malayalam debut opposite Mammootty in Kasaba (2016) and later starred in Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol alongside Mohanlal. She has since appeared in several Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi films and will crown the winner of the UUKMA–Theresa’s London “Onachantham Malayali Sundari” contest.

Joining as a special guest will be Councillor Sajish Tom of Basingstoke, a former UUKMA National General Secretary and a long-standing community leader in the UK, recognised with the Mayor’s Voluntary Award for his dedicated service.

UUKMA has extended a warm invitation to all Malayalis and friends across the UK to gather at Manvers Lake, Rotherham, to celebrate Kerala’s vibrant traditions in a spectacular setting.

Venue Address: 

Manvers Lake, Station Road, Wath-Upon-Dearne, Rotherham, South Yorkshire. S63 7DG.

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