This humble carousel horse is a summertime favourite Premium

Chennai beach carousel operators share joys and challenges of running the popular summer attraction for families.

With summer’s searing temperatures and schools closed for vacation, the beaches of Chennai have been seeing families making their way to the shoreline.

As you stroll along the sand, you will spot eager children queuing up in smaller lines to hop onto the carousel horses that go round and round. The men operating the carousel horses say that despite the sweat and strain, summers bring them the most joy.

Aravind T, a BCA graduate has been running one of the carousel horses at the beach, and operating it daily from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. “This job is my own business, although it is just by the beachside, it still gives me flexible hours. I manage everything on my own from the groundwork,” he says.

He beams with pride when talking about his carousel horses, especially since his carousel had its moment in the limelight, during the IPL finals in 2024 which happened in Chennai. “Captains Shreyas Iyer and Pat Cummins posed with the IPL trophy right here at the Marina beach ahead of the final match. Out of all the scenic spots, my carousel made the cut as one of the backdrops for their photoshoot,” said Mr Aravind. He fondly recalls how he had the stroke of luck to see the IPL trophy itself because of his carousel. “Now, carousel horses in general attract photoshoots of all kinds from casual to pre wedding shoots,” he adds with a grin, explaining how this has become a motif, in the context of Chennai’s summer favourites.

Muthu P, who was working on another carousel’s engine a little further down, shares similar sentiments about his work during the summer season. “Weekends and summer seasons, we will never slow down” says Mr Muthu. “But the moment the rains begin, we pack everything up, tie it down tight, and go looking for other work to make ends meet,” he adds.

With his carousel horses brought from Vellore, he has freshly repainted and refers to himself as an artiste too. “These carousel horses come to us just as wooden, plain toys. We paint them in bright yellows and reds and make them look cheerful and exciting for children.”

The carousel, fondly known as “Kuthirai Raatinam” by the children and those who run it, is not always a smooth ride. It has its fair share of ups and downs beyond the weather. “If there are 10 children getting on the ride, we have to keep our eyes peeled to make sure no one slips or stumbles. That does not happen often, but we should be careful, regardless,” says Mr Muthu.