THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The fifth edition of the Neyyar Mela, a cultural and entertainment festival held as part of Onam celebrations by the Neyyattinkara area committee of the Kerala State Vyapari Vyavasayi Samithi in association with the Municipality and Kerala Tourism, will be conducted here from August 25 to September 12.
Municipality chairperson W R Heeba on Wednesday said the Neyyar Mela will be the largest Onam celebration event to be conducted in the southern part of the state. Various committees and sub committees have started functioning for the successful conduct of the festival. It was also announced that an award will be instituted by the organisers in the name of Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai to honour individuals who strive to maintain harmony in the society and fight against corruption and communalism.
The award will carry a plaque and a cash prize of Rs 50,000. The winner will be decided by a jury consisting of Gandhian P Gopinathan Nair, K Narayanan Nair, K P Suseelan amd Rachana Velappan Nair. The fest will see dramas by various professional drama clubs, football, kabaddi, badminton, ball badminton and kalarippayattu competitions, jackfruit festival, agricultural products expo, etc.