KOZHIKODE: The curtain rose on the seven-day cultural extravaganza, the golden jubilee edition of the Kerala State School Youth Festival, with a colourful inaugural ceremony at Mananchira in Kozhikode on Saturday evening.
Education Minister M A Baby lighted the lamp to mark the official start of the 50th edition of Asia’s largest students’ festival.Forest Minister Benoy Viswom presided over the function.
In the morning, Director of Public Instruction(DPI) A P M Muhammed Hanish hoisted the festival flags.
While delivering the inaugural address, M A Baby said that the present system of formal education was not enough to cultivate virtue in the upcoming generation.
“The examination-oriented education system, which is being followed by majority of the educational institutions, is not giving much importance to the arts and culture-oriented stream of education. The present system confines the students to a limited, mechanical world,” the minister said.
“The general education system of the state provides an integrated knowledge which will help the students achieve multi-dimensional success. A trend of unhealthy competition is existing among the students, who should explore the possibilities of cultural festivals like the School Kalotsavam to glorify their personal identity,” he said.
Artist Chemanjeri Kunhiraman Nair, MLAs, MPs and noted political and cultural figures were also present at the inaugural ceremony. A colourful dance, featuring the cultural tradition of the state, was presented at the main venue before the inaugural ceremony.
Around 8,400 students from across the state are participating in different competitions, including dance, music and arts. The events, categorised into High School(Boys and Girls) and Higher Secondary(Boys and Girls), will be staged in 15 different venues across the city. Mananchira Ground, Malabar Christian College and Town Hall are the main venues.
A food court for the participants and guest has been set up on the Tagore Hall and Model High School compounds.
In addition, an exclusive venue has been set up for the `Cultural Evening’, which will be organised every day in the evening.
A Sanskrit Festival and an Arabic Festival are also being conducted as part of the festival. The inaugural function was followed by Mohiniyattom, Kerala Nadanam, Mookabhinayam and flute and Veena performances at different venues.
SCHOLARSHIP FOR TALENTS
Education Minister M A Baby said that the State Government would provide scholarships to selected participants of the State-level School Youth festivals from this year onwards.
“Those who are eligible for the scholarship will be given traditional training under experts in the respective fields, like music, dance and arts,” he said and added that noted personalities from across the country had already consented to cooperate with this new initiative of the government which is expected to help the talented youth who seek expert trainers to nurture their talent.