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Kerala’s Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty during an interaction with ‘The Hindu’ in Kollam on January 8, 2024 | Photo Credit: THULASI KAKKAT
Buoyed by the successful conduct of the 62nd Kerala State School Arts Festival (2024)in Kollam, Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty has said that major changes will be brought about in the organisation of the annual event in the coming years to reflect the changing times.
Speaking to The Hindu on the final day of the arts fete in Kollam district on January 8 (Monday), Mr. Sivankutty says the Kalolsavam manual will be “comprehensively revised” to reform the appeal system and bring independent supervision over competitions at all levels, from the school to the State.
“The number of contestants in the Kalolsavam has grown from 200 to 14,000 (over the years). The present Kalolsavam manual was framed years ago. The time has arrived to revise it. A committee will be constituted with the task of preparing a draft. It will be published in the public domain for the people, especially those associated with various art forms and mediapersons, to submit suggestions. Based on the recommendations, necessary changes will be made in the draft. It will again be put in the public domain before finalising the manual,” he says.
On the increasing number of appeals in the festival, the Minister says the trend needs to be arrested. “I am not talking about abolishing the appeal system. Appeals are part of the festival. At present, contestants, even if they finish last in competitions, are moving courts and are allowed to participate in the district and State-level Kalolsavam. In the place of 14 contestants, some of the events in the Kollam festival witnessed up to 28 participants. This results in delay. There is a need to curb the number of appeals. Clarity on who can file appeals should be specified. At the same time, there is also a need to ensure that judges at Kalolsavam events are acting transparently. The new manual will address all these issues,” says Mr. Sivankutty, adding that a law will be enacted to streamline the appeal system, if needed.
Kalolsavam 2024 in photos | Kerala State School Arts Festival kicks off in Kollam
Participants in the Koodiyattam competition wait outside the hall for their turn at the Kerala School Arts Festival in Kollam on January 7, 2024.
Students of PHSS, Perambra, Kozhikode, showcase their skills during the Koodiyattam (HSS section) competition at the Kerala School Arts Festival in Kollam on January 7, 2024. The team from Seethi Sahib HSS, Taliparamba, Kannur, performing during the Arabic Drama (HS section) competition at the Kerala State School Arts Festival in Kollam on January 7, 2024. Students from GHSS Kokkallur, Kozhikode, stage the play ‘Kumaru’ in the Drama competition at the Kerala School Arts Festival in Kollam on January 5. Devadarsan P. of SRM Higher Secondary School, Ram Nagar, Kasaragod, strums the guitar during the Guitar competition (HSS section) at the Kerala School Arts Fest in Kollam on January 5. Students of St. Teresas HSS, Kannur, wait at back stage for their turn during the Yakshaganam competition (HSS section) at the State School Arts Fest in Kollam on January 5. A participant showcases her skills in the Mohiniyattam competition (HS section) at the State School Arts Festival in Kollam on January 4, 2024. Students participate in the English skit competition (HS section) at the State School Arts Festival in Kollam on January 4, 2024. The team from CKG Memorial HSS, Chingapuram, Kozhikode, performing Arabana Muttu (H.S. category) at the Kerala State School Arts Festival in Kollam on January 4, 2024. A choreographed performance of the official song of the State School Arts Festival led by actor and danseuse Asha Sharath and students during the fete’s inaugural function in Kollam on January 4, 2024. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurating the 62nd Kerala State School Arts Festival in Kollam on January 4, 2024.
Citing Kerala’s financial constraints, the Minister says the government is considering setting up a fund with CSR support under the Director of General Education for the conduct of the State School Arts Festival in the coming years. “We are contemplating increasing the scholarship amount of ₹1,000 given to participants who secure A grade in the festival. Setting up an art school in line with the sports school under the General Education (department) to train budding artistes from financially backward families is also under consideration,” says Mr. Sivankutty.
The Minister stresses that it is “not possible” to add non-vegetarian food to the festival menu. Unity lauded. He attributes the success of the festival in Kollam to the unity shown by various sections. “Cutting across party lines, people worked to make it a huge success. This model can be replicated for the development of the State,” says Mr. Sivankutty.
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