HISTORY OF SCHOOL KALOLSAVAM
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 Kerala, God's own country is also a country
of diverse festivals. Kerala School Kalolsavam is a festival unique in
its structure and organisation. The organisational set up from school
level to state level for the conduct of the Kalolsavam is monitored by
Education Department as per the manual drafted by experts in the field.
Looking back into the history of
School Kalolsavam in the last 51 years it is seen that the Kalolsavam
has refined much in letter and spirit. Students get opportunity to
express their talent in school level, sub district level, district
level and at last at state level. When performers reach state level,
perfection reaches its zenith.
 In 1956-57 when the school
Kalolsavam began, it had'nt reached any where near the variety, pomp
and the vast canvas which the festival has now reached.
Dr.C.S.Venkiteswaran was the DPI in 1956. He had the opportunity to
participate in the Inter-University festival at Delhi during that time.
This inspired the great visionary to organize a similar festival at
school level and thus he sowed the seed of School Kalolsavam at
Ernakulam SRV High School in 1956. Programme was scheduled for one day
and there were 200 participants. Mid-day meal and tea was served.
Participation was directly from school level.
Year by year more and more items
were included, and number of days of the Kalolsavam was increased.
Number of participants have increased to ten thousand. From 1956-1957
to 2008-2009 School Kalolsavam has crossed many mile stones. Now Govt.
has active involvement with peoples representatives from Grama
Panchayath level to Corporation Level, Member of Legislative Assembly
to Members of Parliament, Ministers etc. giving all support for the
success of the Kalolsavam. While in 1956-57 there were only 200
participants, in 2008-2009 there are nearly 10,000 participants. While
in 1956-57, it was a business of one day, today it is a festival of 7
days. The decorative main stage accommodates thousands of people.
Delicious food is prepared for breakfast, mid day meals & supper
for nearly ten thousand participants.
 The year 1975, when the festival
was hosted at Calicut, was a turning point in the history of School
Kalolsavam. Many art forms of Kerala tradition like Kathakali music,
Mohiniyattom, Aksharaslokam etc. got entry to Kalolsavam for the first
time. As a prelude to the Kalolsavam, proclamation rally was organised
in 1975. Later on Margomkali, Kuchipudi, Yakshaganam, Band display etc.
got entry to the Kalolsavam.
By the end of eighties, ever
rolling Golden Cup of 117.5 sovereign gold was awarded to the overall
winning Revenue District. This Gold Cup was designed by Chirayankeezhu
Srikandan Nair who was an Art Instructor in Education Department. In
the year 2000, Millenium trophy a beautiful dancing Nataraja trophy was
introduced. Today there are numerous trophies, cash prizes, grace
marks etc to the winners. The system of Kalathilakam & Kalaprathiba
was dispensed with to eliminate unhealthy competition. The festival
has a foolproof system to encourage thousands of students in various
Art & Literary forms in each academic year. Perfect time
management, impartial Judgement, on the spot arrangements to dispose of
appeals etc. makes the art festival unique in all aspects. From
2008-2009 it becomes a festival of students from Std.VIII to Plus 2
level.
In a Nut Shell, School
Kalolsavam is a Kaleidoscope of Kerala's young talent in the field of
Art and Literature. Each year the venue of the Kalolsavam is changed
from one District to another to ensure the participation of the people
through out the state.
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