Periya (Kasaragod): Six-year-old Ishan and 14-year-old Arun on Tuesday joined the 'Shinkarimelam' team of Yuvajana Vadyakalasangham at Kallyott, near Periya in Kasaragod. The elders in the 60-member strong team guided the two in their first performance as a replacement for their two lost members – Sharathlal (Joshi) and Kripesh who were hacked to death on February 17. Ishan is also the cousin of Sharathlal.
“Ever since the 'Shinkarimelam' troupe was formed by Sharathlal almost seven years ago, none of the team members had left. The team, formed under Rajivji Club (in memory of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi), is a close-knit family and active in the social issues of the area also. Our friends are not replaced, instead they relive through each and every programme here,” said Deepu Krishnan, a close friend of both Sharathlal and Kripesh.
On Tuesday, a handful of them lifted the 'chenda' (drum) for the first time after the tragedy and performed along with the children at 'Mahila Sangamam' a gathering of women organised by Mahila Congress at Periya. As a mark of respect to the slain youngsters, they kept two 'chendas' in front of the venue, with their photographs.
Youth Congress activists Sharathlal and Kripesh were attacked while they were going to purchase specially-designed costume to wear on Deepu's wedding. The youngsters were allegedly hacked to death by CPM members and Crime Branch is investigating the case. Deepu's wedding, scheduled for February 21, was postponed after the murders.
“There are more than 15 of us in our friends' circle. After the demise of Sharathlal and Kripesh, none of us have gone back to our houses. We either stay back at Sharathlal's or Kripesh's home, comforting the family members and helping them. Once the construction of the house for Kripesh's family, initiated by Hibi Eden MLA, has started most of us are helping the works there,” added Deepu.
There are 60 adults and 40 children in the 'Shinkarimelam' team. The Rajivji Club is also sponsoring the education of nearly 15 students in the nearby tribal colony. All of them are studying in Government Higher Secondary School, Kallyott.
“Everyone was in tears and could not perform for long. It lasted only for five to 10 minutes,” said Anoop M K Kallyott, who is also Youth Congress Pulloor Periya constituency president.
Kripesh's house is close to the temple and both of them were actively participating in the preparations for the 'Perumkaliyattom' festival that is celebrated after almost 717 years, recollect their friends.
On Wednesday, the ashes of the two were immersed at a ritual held at Thiruvallom Parasurama temple in the presence of senior Congress leaders Oommen Chandy, V M Sudheeran, Neyyattinkara Sanal, V S Sivakumar and Youth Congress Kasaragod Parliament constituency president Sajid Mouval.
