THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: From smartphone reels to documentaries on Kerala’s vanishing art forms, Kerala Tourism is looking to turn Gen Z’s growing appetite for digital content into a tool for cultural exploration, especially vanishing art forms.
As part of the government’s 100-day action plan, the culture and tourism departments are jointly planning a documentary-making competition for school students, aimed at getting the younger generation to discover, document and popularise Kerala’s traditional art forms and cultural heritage.
The preliminary concept envisages students making documentaries of up to 15 minutes on themes linking Kerala’s traditional art forms and tourism.
“The concept is to bring the new generation, particularly Gen Z, closer to a unique aspect of Kerala. Familiarising children with our culture and heritage is also part of the concept,” said a top official with Kerala Tourism.
The initiative proposed by the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy and the tourism department is expected to take off immediately.
“The entries will be evaluated by a selection committee, with the best documentaries to receive cash prizes and certificates at a special function. We are also planning to explore the possibility of screening the selected works at a documentary festival or even in cinemas,” said Sajith C C, secretary in-charge, Kerala State Chalachithra Academy.
The department is banking on the filmmaking skills that youngsters have already developed through smartphones and social media. “Children themselves are making good reels on mobile phones. Some of these become viral. There are children who can make good documentaries without spending much. The idea is to bring them into this field with a competitive spirit,” Sajith said.
Gen Z — who are already experimenting with shooting, editing, and visual narratives for social media — will get an opportunity to use those skills to document Kerala’s cultural landscape. Traditional art forms and cultural practices that remain unfamiliar to many youngsters will form an important part of the concept.
The proposal also builds on the state’s efforts to introduce children to cinema and film literacy. “The proposal has been submitted to the tourism department and the directorate of cultural affairs and is under consideration. The exact criteria have not yet been finalised. The plan is to target high-school and higher-secondary students. Everything will be finalised after Onam,” Sajith said.
