Mappilapattu contest witnessed a packed audience at Jawahar Auditorium in Kannur. Photo: Nelson K PaulKannur: When Ashker E.S. took the stage on his turn for the Mappilapattu contest in the High School (Boys) category in the 57th Kerala School Kalolsavam, he looked nervous. He was not smiling, and waited for over a minute for a nod from the organizers as he looked unsure whether the microphone was on. And as soon as he began singing, the audience knew he meant business.
Ashker's pronunciation was perfect, he hit the highs and lows of the song neatly and above all, he was visibly immersed in the song. The audience grasped the mood in no time, and almost the entire crowd at Jawahar Auditorium started swaying, sitting in their chairs. A section of the crowd clapped in rhythm with Ashker's singing as quality music filled the air. The applause hit its peak as Ashker finished his song in style, and the smile on the faces of those in the audience said it all.
When Onmanorama caught up with Ashker after he got off the stage, he turned out to be this shy kid who even smilingly acknowledged that he forgot his chest number.
The result was announced soon and Ashker, a student of ICAE HSS, Vadakkekad, Thrissur, emerged the winner from the group of 15 boys. The fact that he won the first prize as an appeal entry made the victory more sweeter to Ashker.
