THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Motor Vehicles Department is all set to conduct ‘Kerala Paryadanam’, a road trip from Kasaragod to Kollam. And the aim behind the same is to create awareness about traffic rules among school students. However, this is not what makes it unique.
The Department will be making use of the folk art ‘Ottamthullal’ to spread the message among students.
‘Kerala Paryadanam’ targets High School and Higher Secondary School students. Dr M V Ajith Kumar, professor, Sarada Krishna Homoeopathic Medical College, Kulashekharam, Kanyakumari, will don the role of the ‘Ottamthullal’ artist. He will be performing to lyrics penned by B Suresh, Motor Vehicle Instructor.
A similar programme had been organised by the department a few months back. Dr Ajith says, “However, it was limited to just Thiruvananthapuram district. We covered around 16 schools in 4-5 days. The programme was a success and received a very good response.”
A team of six will be taking part in the journey, with the respective RTO officials joining in at different districts.
Around 76 schools are expected to be covered through the programme.
The journey will begin on September 22 from Government HSS Kanjangad, Kasaragod, after which the team will move on to other districts.
The performance will come to an end on December 20, after which a general public awareness event will be held at Thiruvananthapuram.
Dr Ajith feels that the programme will taste success again. He adds, “What can be a better step than to add a little humour and a bit of colour to a routine message? Students will find such an event more engaging.”
Ottamtullal is a folk art form which uses humour to parody contemporary issues.