KOCHI: This year also, children joining the first standard in schools across the State will be humming the tune composed by Dr Manakkala Gopalakrishnan, a research officer at the State Council Education Research and Training.
‘Puthiyoru pulari pirannu...’, written by K K Thulasi, a school teacher hailing from Guruvayur, and sung by playback singer Madhu Balakrishnan has been selected as the theme song for the school ‘pravesanolsavam’ (entrance festival) to be celebrated in schools this year.
“As a person closely associated with the ongoing efforts to bring art in to the curriculum, I was more than happy to compose the theme song,” said Manakkala Gopalakrishnan, who has PhD in Music from the Kannur University. The lyrics of the song were selected from 300 entries. “While selecting the song, priority was given to the quality and simplicity of the lyrics so that the children would cherish the event,” he said. The song will be officially launched at the state-level ‘pravesanolsavam’ in Wayanad.
Last year also, Manakkala Gopalakrishnan, who is a disciple of Leela Omcheri and Prof T R Subrahmanyan, was entrusted with the task of composing the theme song.
“I consider it as a part of my efforts to give prominence to art education in schools,” said Gopalakrishnan who played a key role in formulating a syllabus for art education in schools.
“We are happy that our efforts are making a positive impact. This year, students of Class-VI, VIII and XII will be given CDs of plays by G Sankara Pillai (Chitrasalabhangal), Vayala Vasudevan Pillai (Thenkani) and Kavalam Narayana Panicker (Agnivarnante Kalukal), respectively. Each play will be enacted by the students,” he added.