‘The mother’s strength, derived from the love for her child, was so strong that the Pootham had to submit before her. But later the mother felt pity for the Pootham who had no one to call its own and gave it the right to visit her child once a year’. As the strength of the mother, the helplessness of the Pootham, and later, sympathy from Edasseri Govindan Nair’s Poothappattu flashed on the face of a four-year-old, the same emotions reflected on onlookers too, who, for a brief period, detached themselves from the roles of parents and teachers to get immersed in the story.
As the story-telling competition progressed as part of the All Kerala Art Festival for nursery schoolchildren organised by Chitranjali Art and Cultural Organisation, a lot more emotions were seen flashing on those faces.
The first day of the 36th edition of the State-level festival saw tiny tots from all over the State competing in events such as action song, patriotic song, group song, group dance and solo dance besides story telling. The level of competitiveness and enthusiasm of the kids were in no way lesser than that of their counterparts in the State School Arts Festival.
The competitions are being held in four venues named Geethanjali, Raganjali, Pushpanjali and Varnanjali. Earlier, Fiona Catherin from Presentation Nursery, Kozhikode, the individual champion of the festival in 2017, opened the festival while Bishop Varghese Chakkalakkal was the guest of honour.
More than 1,500 children from around 140 schools took part in the festival on the first day. More registrations were expected on Saturday, said president of Chitranjali K.A.Noushad. The events on the second day include cinematic dance, oppana, fancy dress, light music, recitation and mono act. District Collector U.V. Jose will be the guest of honour in the valedictory function to be held at 6.30 p.m. while MLA A. Pradeep Kumar will preside.
