Thiruvananthapuram: The 63rd Kerala School Kalolsavam got off to a grand start on Saturday as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the five-day-long festival at the main venue, MT-Nila, located at the Central Stadium.

"The Kerala School Kalolsavam is a testimony of resilience," the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said at the inaugural ceremony.

Competitions began immediately after the inaugural ceremony at 11 am, setting the stage for a spectacular showcase of student talent. With over 11,000 young performers showcasing their talents across 240 events at 25 venues, the festival promises to be a spectacular celebration of Kerala’s cultural richness and artistic diversity.

From the inaugural ceremony of the 63rd Kerala School Kalolsavam at the main venue, MT-Nila. Photo: Manorama Online
From the inaugural ceremony of the 63rd Kerala School Kalolsavam at the main venue, MT-Nila. Photo: Manorama Online

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in his inaugural speech, stated that efforts have succeeded in guiding the children of the landslide-hit Mundakkai and Chooralmala regions toward a better life. He added that the dance performed by the students of Wayanad Vellarmala GHSS at the Kalolsavam stage has transformed into a symbol of resilience and that every participant should lead society collectively toward cultural upliftment.

"Many disappearing art forms continue to survive through festivals like these. As children rise to excellence, their mentors who guided them are also being honoured. Good art forms and their creators have often been subjected to various attacks. For instance, Thoppil Bhasi’s play 'Ningal Enne Communistakki' (You made me a Communist), which challenged the feudal system, faced numerous attacks. Yet, the artists persisted in their creative endeavours without giving up," he said.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurating the 63rd Kerala School Kalolsavam at the main venue, MT-Nila, located at the Central Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram. Photo: Manoj Chemancheri/Manorama
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurating the 63rd Kerala School Kalolsavam at the main venue, MT-Nila, located at the Central Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram. Photo: Manoj Chemancheri/Manorama

He further emphasized, "Many who excel in the arts during their school years stop pursuing art afterwards. This is something cultural Kerala should take seriously. These festivals are organized to nurture and strengthen mutual love, brotherhood, and coexistence among people."

After eight years, the State School Kalolsavam is returning to the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram. The last Kalolsavam held here was in 2016, during which Kozhikode district claimed the championship title, with Palakkad as the runner-up. In last year’s Kalolsavam held in Kollam, Kannur emerged as the champions, with Kozhikode securing the second position.

Teams from various districts had already started arriving in the capital city on Friday. To assist participants, the Department of General Education set up help desks at Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station and the KSRTC Bus Stand. These desks are guiding teams to the registration counter at SMV School and transporting them to accommodation facilities arranged in 25 schools across the city.

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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, emphasizing 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.

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 organizers, 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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