ADIMALI: The audience was served with an assorted platter of entertainment on the second day of the CBSE State Kalotsav, with group dance performers stealing the show.
In the group dance competition, the 72 items presented by the participants in two categories enthralled the crowd at the Viswadeepthi CMI Public School. The performances also brought out the essence of folk songs. The other main venues, where thiruvathira, folk-dance and mimicry competitions were held, also attracted large crowds. Most of the mimicry items kept the audience glued to their seats until the end.
‘Demonetisation’ was a main theme of mimicry, while the ‘stray dog menace’ presented with a touch of humour evoked laughter among the audience.
Interestingly, the group dance venue witnessed mythical love tales performed back-to-back. It seems that the classical love stories of Krishna-Radha, Shiva-Parvathy and Mumtaz-Shajahan are still in demand, with the Krishna-Radha theme topping the chart.
In the category-III, the venue was filled with devotional rhymes and songs on Lord Ayyappa. While most of the teams preferred to end their performances depicting the Ayyappa idol, one team ended the dance to the tune of ‘Harivarasanam...’
This time, the participants made attempts to send socially relevant messages to the audience and fellow participants - such as ‘nature, women’s rights and war against corruption.’ Compared to the previous years, there was increased focus on colour combination, and participants tried novel patterns.
Friday also accommodated solo music items on instruments, such as guitar, mridangam and violin. “I really like this - sitting in the greenroom, listening to so many musicians and observing their techniques,” said a participant.
The third day is expected to be more colourful, when popular dance form ‘oppana’ will be performed in the indoor stadium. The other major events to be held on Saturday are margamkali (category-III), kolkali, duffmuttu (category-III), kuchipudy, folk-dance (category-III, boys and girls), mono-act (category-III and IV), mappilappattu (boys and girls) and band display.
Three appeals rejected
All the three appeals filed by participants on the inaugural day of the CBSE State Kalotsav - in mohiniyattam, folk-dance and duffmuttu - were rejected for lack of merit in the claims. The fee for the appeal is Rs 2,000. According to the appeals committee, the instances of appeals are much lesser in the CBSE festival, compared to the state school festival. Two of the appeals were pertaining to stage settings, and the third candidate challenged the judges’ decision. “Accurate judgment reduces the number of appeals. This time, the judges were selected in such a way that transparency would be ensured in decision making,” said officials of the committee. Meanwhile, not a single appeal was filed on the second day until 7 pm, despite stiff competition.
‘Dogs’ Own Country’
‘Stray Dog Menace’ was the topic given to participants of the cartoon contest. The way the students responded brought smiles to the judges as well as onlookers. Aditya S Ajay, a class-IX student of Kollam Sreenarayana School won the first prize, for his drawing titled ‘Dogs’ Own Country’ and depicting Maneka Gandhi putting garland on a stray dog.
Celebrity charm
Adding glitz to the gala event, actor Lakshmi Menon turned up at the venue of the dance competition offering support to Jishnupriya, a participant who is a student of Lakshmi’s mother and danseuse Usha Menon. “I came all the way to Adimali as my mother couldn’t personally come here to watch her favourite student performing,” said the actor. Jishnupriya is a student of Elamakkara Bhavans Vidya Mandir. Actors Jewel Mary and Seema G Nair will distribute prizes to the winners.
Food served to 16,000
The organisers have arranged the food stalls at the venue properly, without giving room for any complaint. CBSE State Kaloltsav convener Tomy Nambiaparambil said around 16,000 persons had food in the first two days. “Health officials conduct regular inspection at the stalls to ensure hygiene,” he said.
Double delight
On Friday, Vishnu P R of Kuravilangad DP Paul School bagged first prize in the mridangam competition for the second time (category-VI). Vishnu, a prodigious percussionist who is following the footsteps of his father and mridangam maestro Vaikkom Prasad, had won the prize in the Kalotsav held last year also. Vaikom Prasad, who became a household name through various TV shows, stood put by the stage during the entire performance. The first prize was shared between Vishnu and Kailasnath of Mannuthy Vidyaniketan School.
Tight race at fest
Adimali:Thrissur Sahodaya and Malabar Sahodaya were engaged in a neck and neck race on Friday at the ongoing State CBSE Kalotsav-2016 being held at Viswadeepthi Public School, Adimali, by bagging 564 and 536 points respectively. And the results of 54 events were announced on the second day of the arts festival.Kottayam Sahodaya with 521 points was in third place and Sahodaya Ernakulam fourth(484 points) while Palakkad Sahodaya was languishing in fifth spot with 457 points. At the school-level Christ CMI Public School Kanhangad is leading with 186 points followed by Silver Hills CMI Public School and Bharathiya Vidhyabhavan Chevayoor with 136 points apiece. Devamatha CMI Public School Thrissur is at third place with 108 points.