The announcement did not create much of a ripple. Except for some generous applause from the audience and other team members, the winners appeared rather sanguine. Quite natural! For Team Pals (that's how they call themselves) has been in this sort of situation for at least 18 years now.
First place
They have been regulars at the The Hindu MetroPlus Pookalam Contest, won a second place in an earlier edition, and this time, walked away with top honours.
This team from Puthenchira, near Mala, Thrissur District, comprising friends and relatives, were confident of winning ‘some prize' at the contest. “We knew that the competition would be tough. So, we decided on something that would stand out from the rest. Variety was what we looked for, in design and in colour combination. That's how we came up with a three-dimensional design. Moreover, we used only ‘naadan' flowers, different colours of easily available varieties,” says Manoj, who sketched the design.
Creativity
All the 40 pookkalams created were rich in ingenuity and precision. The designs were intricate, creative and colourful. They were products of dedication, creativity, teamwork and patience. No powders or artificial colours of any sort were used. Yet some of the artists showed how they could create gradation of colours, clever shading using just flowers.
Of course, with time the traditional designs have gone and the focus is on complex geometric variations and some with a theme incorporated. The beauty of the pookkalams was enhanced by aesthetic use of traditional props like the nirapara, earthen and bell metal lamps.
Regular contestants
“We have been participating in this event right from its inaugural year. In fact, we were winners the first year,” informs Saju of team Evergreen from Tripunithura that won the third place. “We have always come back with one prize or the other. This time we tried out a three-dimensional ‘kalam' that showed a huge flower in bloom. I personally feel that we could have made it more perfect. We, a group of friends, have two teams. Preparing for a contest is rigorous. Collecting flowers, cutting them to size and shape, putting them into specific containers takes a lot of effort and time. Now, we have the next generation, our younger brothers, following us. They have named themselves Rainbow and are doing well,” says this passionate competitor who works with BPCL-KR.
Second place
Another ‘professional' team, Bethel Group from Thoppumpady, led by Robin, won the second place.
Actor Ananya, who was the chief guest, picked her favourite pookkalam. This one, made by New Challengers team, was a traditional round-shaped one with a lavish dash of green. She said she found each one so good and was sure that the judges must have had a tough time selecting the best three.
High standard
The judges, terracotta artist V. K. Jayan and sculptor Pramod, felt that the pookkalams, overall maintained a very high standard.
The first three winners received cash prizes of Rs. 20,000, Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 7,500 respectively. They also got special prizes from Furore shirts, Vismaya saris, Q&Q watches and Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC). All the participating teams received special gifts.
Ten teams got consolation prizes, while there were special prizes for best dressed male and female, best traditionally dressed team and best team from a non-Malayali culture.
