History
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.
