Kerala School Arts Festival: Thrissur lifts golden cup after 25 years

While Palakkad which missed the top spot to Thrissur by a single point had to settle for the second spot, Kannur finished third with 1003 points. Hosts Thiruvananthapuram who scored 957 points had to settle for the eighth spot.

Actor Tovino Thomas chats with Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan during the valedictory function of the 63rd State School Arts Festival in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday. Speaker A N Shamseer, General Education Minister V Sivankutty, actor Asif Ali and MLA C K Hareendran are also seen. (Photo | Vincent Pulickal)

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As curtains went down on the 63rd State School Arts Festival, Thrissur lifted the coveted golden trophy after a gap of 25 years by bagging 1,008 points. The district had last emerged champions in 1999.

While Palakkad which missed the top spot to Thrissur by a single point had to settle for the second spot, Kannur finished third with 1003 points. Hosts Thiruvananthapuram who scored 957 points had to settle for the eighth spot.

While Thrissur shared top spot with Palakkad in the high school section, Thrissur was the sole champion in the higher secondary section. In the Arabic Arts Fest, Kannur, Kozhikode and Ernakulam shared the top spot. In the Sanskrit Arts Fest too there were three contenders to the top spot - Kasaragod, Malappuram and Palakkad.

Among schools, BSS Gurukulam HSS, Palakkad was the champion. Carmel Higher Secondary School, Thiruvananthapuram and Mananthavady MGM HSS, Wayanad, clinched the third spot.

General Education Minister V Sivankutty presented the golden cup to Thrissur at a glittering valedictory function inaugurated by Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan. In his inaugural address, Satheesan said the state arts festival is an event that can be presented as a matter of prestige for the state. Trophies in various categories were also distributed on the occasion.

Students and officials of Thrissur district over the moon as they lift the golden cup | Vincent Pulickal

The New Indian Express received the award for the best comprehensive coverage during the previous year’s edition of the arts festival.

Finance Minister K N Balagopal said the government will consider increasing the arts festival scholarship for A grade winners from `1,000 to `1,500. Food and Civil Supplies Minister G R Anil presided over the function in which Speaker A N Shamseer delivered the keynote address.

Actors Asif Ali and Tovino Thomas were the chief guests. Asif hoped the winners in various categories would not abandon their artistic pursuits but pursue it with vigour. Tovino encouraged the participants to utilise their art form as a medium to unite people.

POINTS TALLY

Thrissur 1,008

Palakkad1,007

Kannur 1,003

Kozhikode 1,002

Ernakulam980

Malappuram980

Kollam 964

T’Puram957

Alappuzha 953

Kottayam924

Kasaragod 913

Wayanad 895

P’thitta 848

Idukki 817