As many as 51 teams comprising 255 participants will participate in the seventh edition of The Hindu-MetroPlus Pookkalam contest to be held in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday.
The contest will be held between 9.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. at Government College for Women, Vazhuthacaud. It will be the biggest show in terms of participation with 51 pookkalams on a single floor and also the biggest in number and value of prizes.
Visitors will be allowed inside the hall from 2.30 p.m. onwards and exciting prizes await the lucky visitors.
Additional Director General of Police B. Sandhya will be the chief guest and the Managing Director of State Bank of Travancore Sajeev Krishnan will be the guest of honour. Prizes will be distributed at a function that will start at the venue at 3.30 p.m.
Participation for the pookkalam contest, first held in 2007, has been increasing over the years and has become the top contest of its kind in terms of participation, quality, craftsmanship, and the value and number of prizes.
The first, second, and third prizes will receive Rs.20,000, Rs.12,500, and Rs.7,500 respectively. Ten teams will be given consolation prizes of Rs.1,500 each. All teams will be given Rs.750 as reimbursement for the cost of flowers after the prize distribution. Each of the participating teams will be given gifts worth over Rs.2,500.
The best traditionally dressed team and two individual participants will be given special prizes. Parle Biscuit crunch contest will be conducted for children of Classes 1-4, 5-8, 9-12 and also for women aged 18 years and above at the venue.
Presenting sponsor of the event is Parle Products. Powered by State Bank of Travancore, the Associate sponsors are Kerafed, Kerala State Social Security Mission, Kerala State Youth Welfare Board, and Dr. Yogiraj Centre for Dermatology and Cosmetology.
The gifts are sponsored by Kerala State Industrial Enterprises Ltd, TTK Prestige, Vismay Sarees, Delicious Delights, Tierra Foods, Synthite Kitchen Treasure, and Keys Hotels.
All registered teams should report to The Hindu MetroPlus Pookkalam contest information counter at the venue at 8.30 a.m. for the allotment of number and space in the hall.
Harmony of colours, shapes, and neatness of the pookkalam will be considered by the jury when deciding the winners. The decision of the jury will be final.
