The 55th edition of the Kerala State School Arts Festival was inaugurated by Chief Minister Ommen Chandy on Thursday.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Chandy said, “I do not think that there could be an arts festival like for schoolchildren anywhere else in the world,” he said.
Education Minister P.K. Abdu Rabb said the festival could be watched live by Malayalis the world over through the online coverage provided by IT@School through Victers channel. “We have made arrangements to cover the entire festival,” he said.
Social Welfare Minister M.K. Muneer, Culture Minister K.C. Joseph MPs M.I. Shanavas, MLAs P.T.A. Rahim, A.K. Saseendran, E.K. Vijayan and Purushan Kadalundi, District Collector C.A. Latha and Commissioner of Police A.V. George were among those who attended the function, which opened with a welcome song performed by a group of teachers.
Earlier, there was a colourful cultural procession through the heart of Kozhikode that enthralled the large number of spectators, who enjoyed the rich fare from either side of the road. Most of the seats at the Malabar Christian College HSS Ground were occupied long before the opening ceremony. The crowd stayed on to watch a Mohiniyattam performance.
The opening day also saw competitions being held Kerala Nadanam, Kuchipudi, Mime, Panchavadyam, Folk Songs, Kathakali, Vattapattu and Light Music. The festival features 232 events at 16 venues and nearly 11,000 children will compete.
