It has been 10 years since the Government Medical College hosted the Calicut University inter-zone arts festival, but memories of watching some amazing talents linger.
There was Nikhil Raveendran’s scintillating performance in Bharatanatyam. There was also a superb effort in light music by Vineetha Menon, the grandniece of poet Vallathol. And they were just two of the many highlights of that festival, watched by huge crowds.
At last year’s festival, held at the University Campus (Tenhipalam), the size of the crowd was much smaller. As was the number of participants in many events. But, as the festival returns to the city of Kozhikode after a gap of five years, there is hope the new edition could regain some of its lost glory.
Organisers confident
The organisers of the festival, the Calicut University Students Union and students of host Malabar Christian College, are determined to do just that. They are also banking on the art-loving public of Kozhikode.
“We are confident that this festival will be more successful than the last few editions,” said M. Ajay Lal, union vice chairman and M.A. (Malayalam) student at the Malabar Christian College. “Ever since the union took charge in early February, the inter-zone festival has been one of our priorities.”
He said staging the festival when colleges were closed was not quite a bright idea.
“But, we had no option; the union had taken charge only in February and two zonal competitions were held during the summer vacation,” he said.
“We, however, have been working hard to ensure that there would be enough number of participants and spectators. We even visited Lakshadweep and have succeeded in bringing in a group of students for the festival, after a screening.”
It is the winners from the five zones that will compete at the festival, the main part of which will begin on May 10, when the competitions in music, dance, drama and other stage events will get under way.
The first two days will have contests in off-stage events, such as writing and drawing.
The College of Applied Science (IHRD) will also host some competitions.
