PATHANAMTHITTA: The people of Kunnamthanam celebrated a rare festival on Tuesday.
Hundreds of people, keeping away political affiliations, participated in the paddy harvesting festival on the five-acre land at Madathilkavu Ambalappadam.
With whole-hearted support and financial assistance of Kunnamthanam grama panchayat, the 150-odd students of Gothra Kalapeedom, the local institution which protects and promotes the unique folk art form Padayani, undertook the four-month paddy cultivation.
From the preparation of the land, which remained unused for the past 12 years for want of patronage, to harvesting of paddy, the students of Gothra Kalapeedom could take the entire credit for the task.
The students, in the age-group of 10 to 25 years, thus became role models for the entire people of the State.
The unique Padayani kolam, Pulanirtham, was staged by the students as part of the harvesting festival, along with paddy harvesting.
Pulanirtham, an offering by the farmers to express their gratitude to the Goddess for record paddy production, is also considered as a commemoration of the past generations.
Gothra Kalapeedom president B. Ravikumar inaugurated the harvesting festival.
Treasurer Balakrishnan Nair advised the students in farm operation.
Jyothish Babu and Kunnamthanam panchayat president Subin offered felicitations.