From 200 in 1956 to 14,000 participants, Pinarayi lauds growth of State School Kalolsavam

Thrissur: Young artists streamed into the festive expanse of Swaraj Round in Kerala’s cultural capital on Wednesday, as the 64th State School Kalolsavam unfolded across 25 venues in and around Thekkinkadu Maidan. Calling it one of the biggest cultural festivals in Asia, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the Kalolsavam has grown from 200 participants in 1956 to nearly 14,000 today. “We have been conducting this festival for many years without scope for complaints. Art is a special gift bestowed by nature upon humans. It gives joy to both the artist and the audience. But art’s dharma does not lie merely in evoking joy; it must awaken our conscience and shock us into experiencing real-life situations,” he said after inaugurating the event.

The Chief Minister also emphasised the importance of upholding secular values through events such as the Kalolsavam. Referring to Kerala’s composite cultural traditions, he said, "The popular song ‘Kaayalarikkathu valayerinjappo…’ was written by Thrissur native P Bhaskaran. Mappilappattu, once largely confined to the Muslim community, was later embraced by people across communities."

He said attempts had been made in the past to create divisions by arguing that Muslims should not practise Bharatanatyam or that Christians should not perform Oppana. “There were even attacks on children performing Christmas carols, and at one point, the Christmas holiday was removed. Today, even naming film characters Janaki or Sita is being questioned,” he said. Such communal tendencies, the Chief Minister said, can be countered through art. He urged the younger generation to embrace all art forms irrespective of religion, describing this inclusiveness as central to Kerala’s cultural heritage and tradition.

Union Minister Suresh Gopi and Ministers V Sivankutty, K Rajan, K Krishnankutty and Kadannappalli Ramachandran were also present at the inaugural ceremony. Ahead of the inauguration, a pandimelam was performed to herald the festival, followed by a kudamattam featuring 64 students representing the 64th edition of the Kalolsavam.

As part of the inaugural programme, a visual presentation featuring 40 students from Kalamandalam was staged on Wednesday. The welcome song was presented in dance form, blending Mohiniyattam, Kathakali, Ottanthullal, Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, Nangyarkkoothu, Oppana, Margamkali, Keralanatanam, tribal dance, Thiruvathira and folk dance into a six-minute performance.

Three of the main stages for the Kalolsavam have been set up at Thekkinkadu Maidan, the traditional venue of the Thrissur Pooram. Competitions will be held in 239 categories across 25 venues. Of these, 96 events are in the high school section, 105 in the higher secondary section, and 19 each in the Sanskrit and Arabic Kalolsavams. Between 12,000 and 14,000 students are expected to participate, including those qualifying through appeals. Accommodation has been arranged at 20 schools, with facilities ranging from beds to herbal drinking water.

117.5-sovereign gold trophy
The district that emerges as the overall champion will receive a golden trophy weighing 117.5 sovereigns. After district-level tours and a victory procession, the trophy will be shifted to the district treasury for safekeeping.

Pazhayidom flavours
As in previous years, the kitchen will be handled by Pazhayidom Mohanan Namboothiri. A wide menu has been prepared, including a unique dish called Konkani dosa, made using grains and pulses. A payasam prepared with jackfruit is also on the menu. The kitchen will function round the clock, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The breakfast menu includes appam, uppumavu, idli, puttu and dosa.

German-style pavilions
To beat the heat, the main stages at Thekkinkadu Maidan have been set up using German technology. The primary stage, Suryakanthi, can seat 10,000 people, while the Parijatham stage can accommodate 3,000 and the Neelakurinji stage 2,000. Most other venues have seating for at least 250 people.

Fierce battle for the crown
Thrissur district, which lifted the title at the previous Kalolsavam after a gap of 26 years, is fielding an 850-member team. Palakkad, which lost the title by a single point last time, is returning determined to reclaim the crown. Strong challenges are also expected from Kannur, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram.

30 buses to run round the clock
Thirty buses have been arranged to operate 24 hours a day for student participants. They will ferry contestants from the railway station and KSRTC stand to their accommodation centres. Each bus will have a driver, two volunteers and a route manager. These buses can also be used to travel between accommodation centres and dining halls.

Distinctive flag mast
A special flag mast combining a painting brush and a veena has been created for this edition. The brush rises as the flag mast, while the veena and musical notes together form the number 64, symbolising the 64th Kalolsavam. The structure was designed by NR Yadukrishnan, a sculpture faculty member at Kalady Sanskrit University.