Group dance in front of 'Nandan' to step forward without fear: Thrissur all set for Kalolsavam

THRISSUR: 'Don't be afraid....just dance... Don't you see me standing here all cool?" Michelle, a fifth-grader, is encouraging her older sisters Jennifer and Emily. The dance performance was in front of Paranur Nandan, an elephant who stood proudly in front of Vadakkumnathan.

The girls believe that if they dance in front of an elephant, they will be able to perform their steps without fear in any crowd. Jennifer, a ninth-grader, and her sister Emily, an eighth-grader, are students of Sacred Heart School in Thrissur. Both are in the Thrissur team's group dance for the Kalolsavam. Jennifer is competing in folk dance also.

They arrived in front of the Vadakkunatha temple with their friends Aarti, Nivedya and Rosale to relieve tension after their last round of training. Michel also joined. They danced in front of the elephant for an hour. They performed folk dances and group dances.

The spectators gathered around the elephant after watching the dance. Then they wished the children success and returned home. Paranur Nandan stood there with his ears waving and his eyes closed, as if he liked the children's dance.

Shaktan's soil to repeat the gold cup victory

It is after eight years that Thrissur will be the venue for the Kudamatam of art. The hosts' goal is to retain the Gold Cup they won last year. The students were busy training all day yesterday. Many from other districts came with their parents and teachers to do the last round of training at their places of stay. Some of the classical dancers danced at temples in the city and sought blessings. Training in drama, tribal arts, etc. was also held in schools. The festival will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at the first venue of the exhibition ground opposite Paramekkavu at 10 am today. The Pandi Melam and Kudamatam will be held as a declaration of Thrissur's Pooram pride. 64 children will participate in the Kudamatam to mark the 64th festival.

♦ Venues 25

♦ Competition events 249

♦ Competitors 15,000