THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Gandhi Teertha Vallamkali was held at Valiyakulam pond, Chenkal Panchayat, Neyyattinkara, the other day, as part of Neyyar Mela in the city.
Chenkal Grama Panchayat president and Vallamkali Aghosha committee chairperson H Sugandhi presided over the Vallamkali inaugural ceremony.
Kerala State Film Development Corporation chairman K Rajmohan Unnithan inaugurated the event and Vallamkali Aghosha Committee general convenor N Premkumar welcomed the gathering. KTDC chairman Vijayan Thomas, Neyyar Mela chief coordinator K Ansalan, Parassala block panchayat president M R Simon, KSRTC general manager Sudhakaran and ward member Rajaram Manomohanakumar were among those who attended the event.
Kumarakom team led by M Shanavas and Chenkal team led by Sanil Kulathingal bagged the first and second place respectively. K Rajmohan Unnithan distributed prizes to the winners. The prize distribution ceremony came to a close with a Kalarippayattu performance by Poovachal Puthooram Kalari team.
A Paristhiti Mata Souharda Sammelanam was also organised as part of the occasion. A number of students arrived decked up in traditional attire, along with Talappoli, people dressed up as pulikali performers, Mahabali and Vamanan as part of the rally which took place as part of the meet.
The rally was held to honour the efforts of NSS volunteers, teachers and other political and spiritual leaders led by Kerala Gandhimitramandalam in cleaning the 23-acres long pond. An environment conservation pledge was administered to the gathering by Gandhi Smarakanidhi chairman M Venugopalan Thampi.