Youthful vibe grips Kollam ahead of State School Arts Festival

KOLLAM: Excitement is outpouring in Kollam, as the district will host the State School Arts Festival after 15 years. Director of Public Education S. Shanavas will hoist the flag at 9 am on Wednesday, thereby signalling the start of the festival. The opening ceremony will be held at Asramam ground in Kollam.

Chendamelam, Mayilattam, Shinkari Melam and Kalaripayat will be staged by differently-abled children. Actress Asha Sarath will join the students in a dance performance which will be the welcome performance of the event. At 10 am, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will light the lamp in the ceremony organized. For the coming five days, Kollam will keep aside all the hassles to ride in youthful vibes.

Mohiniyattam competition of high school students starts first on the main stage. On the first day, there will be competition at 23 venues. On January 8th, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan will inaugurate the closing ceremony while Minister G R Anil will release the souvenir. Megastar Mammootty will grace the event on its final day to present the gold cup to the winners.

There is a facility to receive contestants at the railway station and KSRTC bus stand. Railways will open a help desk from Wednesday. Registration will start today at 10.30 am at Kollam Town L.P.S. Accommodation for children is arranged in 31 schools.

Culinary Veteran Pazhayidom Mohanan Namboothiri will arrive and take charge of the kitchen at the event. The food stall is set up at Craven LMS HS Kollam. The kitchen will serve lunch including payasam for the next five days. Each day will see a new payasam variety coming from the mastery of Pazhayidom. Palada pradhaman will be served on Day 1.

Food is exclusive to coupon holders. The district coordinator will issue the coupon every morning.