On another day that entertained big crowds across the venues, defending champion Kozhikode came back to take the lead in the race for the Gold Cup at the 54th State School Arts Festival here on Thursday.
With just two days of competitions remaining, Kozhikode had 753 points, seven points ahead of host Palakkad. Thrissur was third with 739, followed by Malappuram (732), Kannur (712), Kottayam (688), Ernakulam (680), Kasaragod (672) and Alappuzha (669).
The biggest attraction of Day Five was Group Dance (HSS), which was watched by the biggest crowd yet, of about 15,000, at the main venue of the Indira Gandhi Stadium. The dancing girls charmed the audience with their spectacular costumes and synchronised moves. Before they took the stage, the HSS boys performed Kuchipudi and each one of them danced away with 'A' Grade.
The HSS girls' Mono Act was another highlight. A full house at the Fort Ground enjoyed some fine performances.
The day also featured Bharatanatyam, Thiruvathirakali, Ottan Thullal, Mappila Pattu, Arabana Muttu, Kathakali Music, Guitar, Violin, Recitation and Chavittunadakam.
High SchoolChavittunadakam: 1. Jesbin K. Thomas & party (St. Sebastian’s, Gothuruthy, Ernakulam), 2. Jithin Joshy & party (St. Anne’s, Kottappuram, Thrissur), 3. R. Akhila & party (BSS Gurukulam, Alathur, Palakkad).
Mappila Pattu (Boys): 1. T. Salmanul Faris (IUHSS, Parappur, Malappuram), 2. V.P. Mohammed Badusha (MMETHSS, Melpuri, Malappuram), 3. E. Muhammed Shameem (PTMHS, Thrikaderi, Palakkad).
English Recitation: 1. Karthika Vinod (Durga HSS, Kanhangad), 2. M. Sona Binoy (PHSS, Perinthalmanna, Malappuram) & P. Saptha (Sacred Heart, Thalassery, Kannur), 3. Merin Shaji (SJHSS, Vellayamkudi, Idukki).
Bharatanatyam (Boys), Higher Secondary: 1. Anantha Kishore (St. Joseph’s BHSS, Devagiri, Kozhikode), 2. S. Anandu (NSS, Panavally, Alappuzha), 3. K.R. Aravind (Chaldean Syrian HSS, Thrissur).
Kerala Nadanam (Girls): 1. A.S. Suparna (Nirmala Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram), 2. S.V. Swathi (St. Joseph’s Anglo Indian, Kozhikode) & B.R. Gowri (Carmel, Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram), 3. Anithara R. Nair (GHSS, Ernakulam).
Mono Act (Girls): 1. P. Arunima (St. Behanan’s, Vennikulam, Pathanamthitta), 2. P.G. Devangana (St. Antony’s, Mala, Thrissur) & Parvathy S. Prakash (Holy Angels, Thiruvananthapuram), 3. K. Amala Margaret (GHSS, Vatakara, Puthur, Kozhikode).
Violin (Western): 1. Biju Salin (BSS Gurukulam, Alathur, Palakkad), 2. A.S. Subin Kumar (MDHSS, Kottayam), 3. Aloshin Joseph (St. Paul’s EMHSS, Tenhipalam, Malappuram).
