The State School Arts Festival boasts of several spectacular sights on stage, but nothing could match the stunning colours of group dance. For the second day in a row, it was the group dance girls who stole the show.
The Malabar Christian College Ground was literally overflowing with spectators on Tuesday as the competition in the high school (HS) section got to a start.
It was so crowded that people had to watch from even distant points on the busy Kannur Road.
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And they got so see some stunningly costumed dancers.
A day earlier, the competition in the higher secondary school (HSS) category had gone late into the night.
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A big crowd had stayed back to watch the dancers, though many of the performances did not meet the standard one would have expected of a State-level event.
The lack of synchronisation was an issue with several groups of dancers.
The HSS boys’ folk dance also attracted a full house at the Providence HSS Auditorium. Many of the dancers did rather well.
Some hilarity
Once the folk dancers left the stage, mimicry artistes took over.
Mimicry has always been one of the most-popular events at the festival, as is mono act which too was watched by a large crowd.
And there were several fine acts too. Orchestra at the Zamorin’s HSS Ground also attracted an appreciative audience, who were treated to some quality performances by young musicians.
Day six of the festival also featured competitions in Vattappattu, Yakshaganam, Chavittu Natakam, Ottan Thullal, Parichamuttukali, Jazz, and Kathakali music.
For the literally inclined, there were events such as Malayalam recitation and Aksharashlokam.
There is another day of competitions left, but it is certain that this festival too will be remembered for the way the spectators encouraged the young artistes from across the State.
“Though these are busy days for me as an autorickshaw driver, I somehow manage to catch some performances,” says Deepu, reflecting the mood of Kozhikode.