Alappuzha: Four months after Kerala was ravaged by floods, which led to almost cancelling this year’s school youth festival, the state-level cultural event began Friday highlighting people’s spirit of overcoming a momentous tragedy.
At the Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Department of General Education Director K V Mohankumar hoisted the flag, marking the start of the 59th Kalolsavam that is to conclude on December 9, Sunday.
In tune with edition number of the festival, 59 earthen lamps were lit at the Leo Thirteenth School by as many students dressed in the costume of traditional art-forms of the state.
The function was attended by state Education Minister C Raveendranath, his cabinet colleague G Sudhakaran and K C Venugopal, MP, besides cultural leaders and educational experts. As many as 8,935 students are vying for prizes in 188 items being staged at 29 venues.
Keeping aloft the spirit of tenacity and survival, artists and students came together at the beach in the city to do a painting on a 100-metre cloth. The Thursday evening event was inaugurated by district panchayat president G Venugopal. Education Standing Committee Chairman K T Mathew presided. District Education Deputy Director Dhanya R Kumar, District Education Officer V R Shyla, Sub-District Education Officer C D Prasad and District Project Officer Siddique spoke on the occasion.
