Kollam: On the second day of Kerala School Kalolsavam, a group of folk singers protested here at the stage of naadan paattu (folk song) competition (HS category), citing a defective audio system used for the event.
Leaders of the folk song group - Naattu Kalakaara Koottam - on Friday protested from the gallery singing songs, while the competition was continuing on the stage.
According to the protesters, the sound system fixed for the folk song competition was insufficient. Folk song, a group event that uses various kinds of instruments, demands quality audio systems for the best experience, they said.
The hall allocated was not spacious enough to prevent echo and that eventually hindered the audience from enjoying the event in its true essence, protesters added.
"Each participant came here after months of practice. We informed the stage manager and programme convenor about the condition of the sound system before the competition. A written statement was also submitted to the organising committee. But none of them considered the issue," a member of the Naattu Kalakaara Koottam told Manorama News.
The 62nd edition of Kerala School Kalolsavam, Asia's largest school-level arts festival, began on Thursday in Kollam. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the event, which marks the participation of around 14,000 young talents in various categories. The event will end on January 8.