The legendary name 'Maharaja's' is irreplaceable in Kerala’s Cultural History. The College has set itself a mark of distinction when it comes to the quality of its artistic and literary talents.
Many college students secretly confess that the standards are very remarkable and other colleges find it difficult to match up the true talent of this exceptional college. The spirit of promoting real talent, be it in the field of art, literature or theatre; this culture has always remained close with the institution and is as old as the history of college.
Many famous names in the cultural sphere of Kerala at any point of time have their roots embedded in this iconic institution.
In the recently concluded Mahatma Gandhi University Youth festival team from Maharaja’s had to settle at fourth position in the overall point table behind the champions, Sacred Heart College, Thevara, the runner’s up St. Teresa’s College and the second runners up RLV College, Thripunithura who managed to take the third position at the last minute beating Maharaja’s by a margin of mere one point.
Maharaja’s however managed to reclaim the Silver Horse, the trophy for the college that secures the maximum number of points in all theatre events upon which a claim was made in the last year’s fest by the Sacred Heart College .
This college is now a brand name in cultural events. The expectation set by the public is very high and this is clearly visible from the fact that in any stage when the chest number of Maharaja’s College is announced the number of audience drastically multiplies.
However apart from this rich tradition not many know the situation behind the screen. Neither does Maharaja’s bother to get sympathy over its situation.
Talking about the 2019 University Youth festival 'Alathalam' , the volunteers say that the struggle encountered this year was like never before. Major problem was financial crisis. The 2018 August floods that devastated Kerala took its toll on the college too. The usual patrons of talents in Maharaja’s were helpless this time. The month of March came in with the added problem of tax payment which further limited the sources for the college team. The only solution thus left was to go around the busy city and collect small contributions for well-wishers.
You will not come across any student from the team complaining about their troubles. They greet them as the greatest opportunity to understand real life. They consider the love showered upon their college by both artists and art enthusiasts as a payback for their struggles. For them the crowded stages that await their performances is the mark of trust on their talent and hence feel duty bound to give a quality performance.
Maharajas never perform for any trophies. For them, the greatest victory is gaining a permanent place among the heart of art enthusiasts. The memories they make from the Youth festival is their greatest treasure. The shared food packets and resting rooms remain are their greatest teachers and never the mark of financial struggles. No one here monopolises the credit for the victory. Here you can the real team spirit in its truest essence.
If Maharaja’s, the only government autonomous college in the state, continues to retain its remarkable standards in the cultural sphere, impartially competing with the top management run colleges, it is definitely the result of their sweat.