Imbibing the spirit and essence of the ongoing London Olympics but going the traditional way, the city will host the ‘Karshika Olympics,’ a slew of traditional games and competitions for schoolchildren ahead of Onam.
Come August 9, more than 60 students from selected schools will get-together for a day of fun before they bury themselves in books for the forthcoming Onam examinations. From folklore singing competitions to ploughing fields, a number of innovative games are being lined up.
Besides upholding the spirit of the ongoing Olympics in London, this ‘Olympics’ marks the tribute of the younger generation to the farmers of the State in view of Farmers Day that is observed on August 17, the first day of the Malayalam month of Chingam.
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The meet is being organised by the Agri-friends Krishi Samskarika Vedi and the Government Employees Welfare Society, Kottarakara, in association with the Department of Museum and Zoos and the Farm Information Bureau.
Objectives
The main aim of the meet is to help the children become familiar with traditional games and introduce them to various farming techniques.
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Farmers and experts from Krishi Vedhi will engage the students in farming activities such as ploughing, thrashing, and planting of seeds, all of which will be incorporated into various competitions.
One of the main highlight of the competition is ‘Pattuketu.’ The students have been told to collect folk songs and harvest songs of yesteryear and can exchange notes at the competition.
Apart from the traditional games, the students can try their hand at cracking a coconut and even shredding them, vegetable carving, and other such activities. They can display their debating skills and interact with experts on topics such as agricultural practices and customs observed during Onam.
Such sessions with experts will be a platform for the student community to highlight issues such as the fast food culture and take a collective decision on ways to follow a healthy lifestyle.
But a discussion about recipes will be no fun without a sumptuous sadya.
The students can also look forward to a traditional Onasadya with their friends at the programme, S. Jayakumar, programme coordinator, Agri-friends Krishi Samskarika Vedi, said.