Thiruvananthapuram: The city of Thiruvananthapuram has turned into a hub of youthful energy as the 63rd Kerala School Kalolsavam kicks off, with students set to showcase their creative prowess over the next five days.

The Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station and KSRTC bus stand at Thampanoor have transformed into the points to receive the students reaching the city in the coming days.

The authorities have planned transportation for participants arriving by train or bus. School buses have been deployed to shuttle students to festival venues and accommodation units. For those who miss the buses, auto rickshaws are available at minimum charges.

Special vehicles are ready to take students to the festival kitchen at Putharikandam grounds and return them to their accommodations post-performance. KSRTC’s electric vehicles also provide free services, and auto-rickshaw drivers have been requested to offer complimentary rides where possible.

Registrations cross 10,000
Festival registrations have surpassed 10,000, with a final tally expected to cross 12,000, including appeals. F Shibu, the festival registration committee convenor, confirmed that students’ registration details are distributed through district coordinators stationed at Thampanoor UP School.

Over 5,000 volunteers from NCC, NSS, and Scouts attended training at SMV School to ensure smooth event management. Minister V. Sivankutty also inaugurated the distribution of festival kits for students who registered online from the Thiruvananthapuram district.

A culinary extravaganza at 'Sambar’ and 'Avial’
At the festival kitchen, food lovers are in for a treat, with dining counters named after traditional Kerala curries such as Sambar, Avial, Pulissery, Pachadi, and Kalan. At the Neyyar Food Store, the 20 counters can serve up to 4,000 people simultaneously.

The kitchen, inaugurated by Minister V Sivankutty, is supervised by Pazhayidom Mohanan Namboothiri, who ensures that meals are served three times a day. Supplies sourced from schools across the district are stocked in the kitchen, and as many as 2,000 people were served supper on Friday.

Food committee convener Kadakampally Surendran presided over the inauguration ceremony, where Civil Supplies Minister G.R. Anil, Mayor Arya Rajendran, and District Collector Anu Kumari also shared their remarks. A sweet start to the festival was marked by the preparation and distribution of a specially prepared payasam by the chief chef, Pazhayidom Mohanan Namboothiri.