Are you an outsider traveling to Thrissur? If yes, you need to head for Paravatttani, where Jackson Christopher resides. You would meet him tending to his scooter. It isn’t any ordinary scooter, though, in case you thought so! The two-wheeler that Jackson rides around town, has the whole of the town within itself. Curious? Come, let’s tell you the tale of the scooter that houses the whole of Thrissur within.
From the famed Vadakkumnatha temple to the Pooram and the 'Pulikali' (tiger dance), Jackson’s scooter has it all. The two-wheeler, christened ‘Ente Thrissur’ is decked up with the history and culture of Kerala’s cultural capital. Jackson has plans to ride across Kerala on this scooter he holds so close to his heart. Ask him about that, and he says: “By riding around the state on my scooter, I would also be spreading the fame of Thrissur to people from elsewhere in Kerala, and that would ultimately attract more visitors to Thrissur”.
Two-wheel love
Jackson loves his scooter more than anything, or anyone else, for that matter. He says he inherited his love for the scooter from his grandfather Fort John. Jackson currently owns 9 bikes and scooters. Among them, he loves the 2001 model scooter, which he has turned into a canvas for Thrissur’s history and culture.
The beginning
The idea of turning his scooter into a showcase for Thrissur was born in Jackson’s mind four years ago. It happened one day when he decided to set off on a quest to explore Kerala along with his friends, on his scooter. As if to add some color to the trip, he just painted the picture of a Pulikali (Tiger Dance) performance on his vehicle. A few foreign tourists happened to see this and took interest in the picture, and the scooter that had showcased it. The idea then struck Jackson. He believed that this could prove to be the best way to display the character and culture of Thrissur to those who come visiting. And then, Jackson decided, he would take his hometown with him wherever his scooter takes him, and by doing that, he would paint a picture of Thrissur as he traveled across Kerala.
Joining hands
The idea having born, it wasn’t easy for Jackson to make it happen all alone. An interior designer by profession, Jackson wasn’t bad at drawing and painting. But then, it needed more expertise to portray the culture and spirit in colors and drawings on a scooter. So he roped in artist Rijeesh, who he met by chance. Rijeesh found Jackson’s idea fascinating and they decided to join hands. They then brought in another friend, Yadukrishnan, and after two months of hard work, on the day of Bourne Natale, they were successful in taking out Thrissur on two wheels.
Pooram to Bourne Natale
A look at Jackson’s scooter would bring to the fore all about Thrissur. Thrissur’s heritage housed in its buildings, celebrations, cultural institutions, and everything about Thrissur are painted on the scooter. Marker drawings of the Vadakkunathan temple, Lourde church, corporation building, and the town hall stand out. The impressions of the famed Pooram, Pulikali and Bourne Natale find their place in the display.
Kerala Calling
Work is currently on to paint more of Thrissur on two more scooters. When that is done, the three friends would set off for a jaunt of Kerala. Jackson says it would be an attempt for the benefit of his hometown. “I’m glad that my scooter has become a platform in this effort,” he signs off.
