THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala School Kalotsavam, a mega cultural meet of schoolchildren, is likely to get an entry into the Guinness Book of Records as the largest gathering of its kind in the world. Some 9,000 students took part in 215 events in this year’s edition of the arts festival that concluded here last week.
Students, studying in Class 8-12 at government schools, participated in the 49th edition of the festival. The weeklong event included competitions ranging from solo song to group dances staged in 16 different festival venues. Over 17 venues accommodated the children.
The Central Stadium was turned into a dining hall and kitchen to serve food to students and teachers in addition to another hall at the Central High School. The huge food stall was a major attraction. Set up in a mammoth pandal at the stadium with a capacity to accommodate 18000 persons, Kerala-style feast with about 20 dishes were served every day for lunch by expert chefs.
Education Minister M.A. Baby said he had given permission to the organizers to approach the Guinness authorities for a possible entry into the book of world records. “I have been told that nowhere else an event of this dimension takes place,” he said.
This festival was first held in 1956 when 200 students participated. Chief Minister VS Achuthan-andan inaugurated the 49th edition of the annual festival by lighting a Nilavilakku (traditional lamp).
The children were selected from high schools, higher secondary schools and vocational schools of 14 districts across the state competitive events.
In his inaugural address, Achuthanandan called for concerted efforts by parent-teacher organizations and the civic bodies to support young artists from poor families and to help them pursue their art.
“There are many talented children who cannot compete owing to financial constraints. Parent-teacher organizations and local self-governments can provide a solution to this problem,” he said. “There is a situation where many, after proving their talent in youth festivals, abandon their art after their studies. The education department should think of ways to help them.”
The inaugural function opened with a dance performance by schoolchildren to a song penned by poet O N V Kurup and set to music by M. K. Arjunan.
Along with the main event at the huge tent erected in the public ground at the city’s monumental East Fort, there were also separate festivals for Sanskrit and Arabic arts. The city erupted in festival frenzy as hundreds of children in traditional attires took out a procession and continued to entertain them throughout the week.
The finalists come through the four-tier competitions held at school, sub-district and revenue district level. Balakalosavam upto Revenue District is conducted along with the Youth Festival. The first place winners with “AA” Grade only are permitted to participate in the state-level competition.
Students who get 70 percent or more marks will get “A” grade and five marks, those with 60-69 percent, “B” grade and three marks. One point and “C” grade will be given for those getting 50-59 percent marks. Those getting “A” grade will get 30 grace marks, “B” grade, 24 marks and “C” grade, 18 marks for the state board exams.
Individual champions in boys and girls categories are selected from among those who win the highest number of grades. Top scorers in the state will also be awarded Rs1,000, Rs800 and Rs600. The district that comes up with the largest number of grades is awarded the gold cup.
