From the inaugural of the Kerala State School Kalolsavam. (Supplied)
Kannur district clinched the golden trophy in the 62nd Kerala State School Youth Festival with 952 points. Kozhikode (949) and Palakkad (938) bagged second and third positions respectively.
The five-day art, music and dance extravaganza concluded on Monday.
Among the schools, BSS Gurukulam Higher Secondary school from Palakkad’s Alathur came first with 249 points followed by Carmel GHSS at Vazhuthacaud in Thiruvananthapuram with 116 points.
Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly VD Satheesan inaugurated the concluding ceremony of the gala which is the biggest school youth festival in all of Asia.
Malayalam film star Mammootty, who was the chief guest, handed over the coveted golden cup to Kannur district.
According to the officials, over 12,000 students competed in 239 events in this edition of the school youth festival.
In his inaugural speech, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the festival reflects changing times. He urged students and parents not to view school youth festivals merely as occasions for competition and winning points. He emphasised that they should serve as venues to hone children’s artistic skills and develop their personalities.
The first ever edition of the festival was in 1956, and the participants are students from classes 8 to 12. Winners from various revenue districts for a particular event competed in the state-level competition.
The idea of an arts festival in Kerala originated from the then-director of education, CS Venkiteswaran, who witnessed a similar festival for college students in Delhi.
All schools were advised of an upcoming arts event to promote talented students and were asked to identify potential participants. December arts festivals in all districts allowed champions to participate again at the state level.
Ever since, the festival has been a platform for many notable artists and cultural figures, except for the two years during the Coronavirus-induced lockdown.
