Thiruvananthapuram; The stage is all set for the 63rd Kerala School Kalolsavam, the State School Arts Festival, to kick off in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday, promising a spectacular celebration of talent and culture! Over 11,000 young performers will showcase their skills across 240 events held at 25 venues.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the five-days long festival at 10 am at the main venue, MT-Nila, located at the Central Stadium. Competitions will begin immediately after the inaugural ceremony at 11 am.

Teams from various districts have started arriving in the capital city since Friday. To assist participants, the Department of General Education has set up help desks at Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station and the KSRTC Bus Stand. These desks will guide teams to the registration counter at SMV School and transport them to accommodation facilities arranged in 25 schools across the city.

The main venue, MT-Nila, located at the Central Stadium. Photo: Manorama
The main venue, MT-Nila, located at the Central Stadium. Photo: Manorama
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This year, all students achieving an A grade in their competitions will receive a trophy and a one-time cultural scholarship of Rs 1,000.

Education Minister V Sivankutty expressed his hopes for the event, emphasising its role as a festival rather than merely a competition. “Thiruvananthapuram, with its rich cultural heritage, is ready to warmly welcome Kerala’s budding artists. The festival aims to preserve and elevate Kerala's artistic and cultural diversity,” he said.

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For the first time, the festival has included art forms from tribal communities in its lineup, reflecting Kerala's deep cultural roots. The event manual was also updated to accommodate these changes, ensuring the festival becomes a comprehensive showcase of Kerala’s tradition and culture.

The festival will host not only contestants but also thousands of organisers, spectators, and media personnel. However, Minister Sivankutty also acknowledged the challenges, urging parents to avoid fostering excessive competition among participants. “The goal should be to create a space where children can express their talents fearlessly. This year’s festival is sure to embody the ethos that the arts are a celebration rather than a rivalry.

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