Kerala School Kalolsavam

School Arts Festival of Kerala is an annual event conducted by the state government of Kerala, featuring several art competitions for high school and higher secondary school students of Kerala. The festival was started in 1956, and till 2008, it was called as "Kerala State School Youth Festival". The participants are students from classes 8th to 12th. Winners from different revenue districts for a particular event will be competing in state level competition. The event is usually conducted in December–January months of a year and is considered to be the biggest cultural event of Asia.[1][2] 61st edition of Kerala School Kalolsavam, 2020-21 is scheduled at Kollam.

Kerala School Kalolsavam
Status	Active
Genre	Youth Festival
Frequency	Annually
Venue	Kerala
Country	India
Founder	Dr. C. S. Venkiteswaran
Participants	12000
Area	Secondary school students ( Class 8 to 12 )
Organised by	Government of Kerala
Sponsor	IT@school
Website	www.schoolkalolsavam.in

History

Kerala Schools 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 53 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 Yuvajanolsavam(Former name) began, it hadn't reached anywhere 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, Millennium 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. has always been a matter of concern. 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 throughout the state.[3]

Malayalam film actors from Kalolsavam

Kerala School Kalolsavam has often helped film-makers to find new talent and fresh faces for actors to Malayalam cinema. Many actors of Malayalam film industry were participants of Kerala school kalolsavams.[4]

Sl. No	Actor Name	Position won in Kalolsavam
1	Vineeth	'Kalaprathibha' title in 1986
2	Divyaa Unni	'Kalathilakam' title in 1990 and 1991
3	Manju Warrier	'Kalathilakam' title in 1992 and 1995
4	Navya Nair	Kalolsavam 2001
5	Ambili Devi	'Kalathilakam' title in 2001
6	Kavya Madhavan	'Kalathilakam' title sub-district level
7	Vineeth Kumar	'Kala Prathibha' title in 1988
8	Vineeth Sreenivasan	first prize for Mappila Songs in 2000
9	Vinduja Menon	'Kalathilakam' title in 1991
10	Shivajith Padmanabhan	'Kalaprathibha' title in 1998 & 1999

[4][5][6]

60th Kerala School Kalolsavam 2019

The 60th Kerala School Kalolsavam was held at Kanhangad. 239 events were held spread across 28 stages during the four-day festival at Kanhangad.

One of the highlights of this year’s youth festival was the active participation from the local residents. Kanhangad, which hosted youth festival, gave a warm welcome to the fest and its participants.Contrary to the usual, the participants were accommodated at the houses of nearby residents which showed the love and care of the people of Kanhangad. People en masse turned up to watch various competitions despite the heavy rain on the final day.

Palakkad has been crowned the champions of the event.

58th Kerala School Kalolsavam 2018

The cultural capital of Kerala, Thrissur, hosted the 58th Kerala School Kalolsavam[7] at various venues across Thrissur town. The venues were named after various trees native to Kerala, this highlighted the go-green initiative taken up by the students and organisers of the festival. The festivities skyrocketed on 6 January 2018 and Asia's biggest art celebration was inaugurated by Honourable Speaker, P. Sreeramakrishnan at 10 am on Saturday. It was informed that the chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan would not be able to inaugurate the function as he has to attend the state party conference at Kollam. 14 traditional art forms was performed at the premises of the main venue, Thekkinkadu Maidanam. As many as 1,000 girls performed a Thiruvathira in front of the main venue. The festival revived the spirit of Pooram, with sound instruments stirring memories of Ilanjithara Melam and dance items fetching images of Kudamattam, while musical items reviverd the joy of Panchavadyam. The youth festival covered 5 days, 234 events, nearly 12,000 contestants from all over Kerala. It has been the 9th time, Thrissur has hosted the festival, with the first being a low-profile event in 1962 amid the Indo-China war. The festival concluded on Wednesday, 10 January after hosting 234 events on 24 venues. As many as 8,354 students gained direct wntry to take part in the competitions. However, the number of contestants went above 12,000 since appeals are considered. This was the first Kalolsavam to be held as per the revised manual since 2008. A green protocol, aiming at zero-pollution, was in effect at the festival venues. Students were lodged in 21 schools around the city. Culinary expert Pazhayidam Mohanan Namboodiri was tasked with preparation of food. The expenses of the festival was estimated to cross ₹ 1.5 crore.

57th Kerala School Kalolsavam 2017

The 57th State School Kalolsavam is being held at Kannur from 16 to 22 January. Over 12000 participants will compete in 232 categories including 172 stage events. The festival is being held adhering to the green protocol. The venues are named after major rivers of Kerala. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the event at the main venue named Nila at the Police Ground, Kannur. Renowned playback singer K S Chitra was the Chief Guest on the occasion.[2][8]

Venues and Winners of Yesteryears

Palakkad district is the current champions (60th Kalolsavam). Kozhikode district is the most successful team.

Number	Year	Venue	Gold Cup Winners
1	1957	Ernakulam	Malabar
2	1958	Thiruvananthapuram	Thiruvananthapuram
3	1959	Palakkad (Chittur)	Kozhikode
4	1960	Kozhikode	Thalassery
5	1961	Thiruvananthapuram	Thiruvananthapuram
6	1962	Kottayam (Changanassery)	Alappuzha
7	1963	Thrissur	Thiruvananthapuram
8	1964	Pathanamthitta (Thiruvalla)	Alappuzha
9	1965	Palakkad (Shoranur)	Alappuzha
..	1966	Not conducted
..	1967	Not conducted
10	1968	Thrissur	Alappuzha
11	1969	Kottayam	Irinjalakkuda, Thrissur District
12	1970	Thrissur (Irinjalakkuda)	Irinjalakkuda, Thrissur District
13	1971	Alappuzha	Alappuzha
..	1972	Not conducted
..	1973	Not conducted
14	1974	Alappuzha (Mavelikkara)	Thiruvananthapuram
15	1975	Kottayam (Pala)	Kottayam
16	1976	Kozhikode	Thiruvananthapuram
17	1977	Ernakulam	Thiruvananthapuram
18	1978	Thrissur	Thiruvananthapuram
19	1979	Kottayam	Kottayam
20	1980	Thiruvananthapuram	Thiruvananthapuram
21	1981	Palakkad	Thiruvananthapuram
22	1982	Kannur	Thiruvananthapuram
23	1983	Ernakulam	Thiruvananthapuram
24	1984	Kottayam	Thiruvananthapuram
25	1985	Ernakulam	Thiruvananthapuram
26	1986	Thrissur	Thiruvananthapuram
27	1987	Kozhikode	Thiruvananthapuram
28	1988	Kollam	Thiruvananthapuram
29	1989	Ernakulam	Thiruvananthapuram
30	1990	Alappuzha	Ernakulam
31	1991	Kasaragod	Kozhikode
32	1992	Malappuram (Tirur)	Kozhikode
33	1993	Thrissur	Kozhikode
34	1994	Kozhikode	Thrissur
35	1995	Kannur	Ernakulam
36	1996	Kottayam	Thrissur
37	1997	Ernakulam	Kannur
38	1998	Thiruvananthapuram	Kannur
39	1999	Kollam	Thrissur
40	2000	Palakkad	Kannur & Ernakulam
41	2001	Idukki (Thodupuzha)	Kozhikode
42	2002	Kozhikode	Kozhikode
43	2003	Alappuzha	Ernakulam
44	2004	Thrissur	Kozhikode
45	2005	Malappuram (Tirur)	Kozhikode
46	2006	Ernakulam	Palakkad
47	2007	Kannur	Kozhikode
48	2008	Kollam	Kozhikode
49	2009	Thiruvananthapuram	Kozhikode
50	2010	Kozhikode	Kozhikode
51	2011	Kottayam	Kozhikode
52	2012	Thrissur	Kozhikode
53	2013	Malappuram	Kozhikode
54	2014	Palakkad	Kozhikode
55	2015	Kozhikode	Kozhikode & Palakkad
56	2016	Thiruvananthapuram	Kozhikode
57	2017	Kannur	Kozhikode
58	2018	Thrissur	Kozhikode
59	2019	Alappuzha	Palakkad
60	2020	Kanhangad	Palakkad
61	2021	Kollam	TBD

[9]

Point tables - Final Scores

Champion district is decided by the Gold Cup point.

Kerala School Kalolsavam 60th (2019-2020)

Rank	District	HS General	HSS General	Gold Cup Point	HS Arabic Arabic	HS Sanskrit
1	Palakkad	446	505	951	95	89
2	Kozhikode	446	503	949	95	91
3	Kannur	438	511	949	95	91
4	Thrissur	445	495	940	93	95
5	Malappuram	427	482	909	93	87
6	Ernakulam	416	488	904	78	95
7	Thiruvananthapuram	422	476	898	87	81
8	Kottayam	400	494	894	80	90
9	Wayanad	408	468	876	93	84
10	Kasargod	421	454	875	95	93
11	Alappuzha	384	484	868	87	90
12	Kollam	423	437	860	93	88
13	Pathanamthitta	351	422	773	70	85
14	Idukki	354	368	722	79	68

[10]

Kerala School Kalolsavam 58th (2018)

Rank	District	HS General	HSS General	Gold Cup Point	HS Arabic	HS Sanskrit
1	Kozhikode	419	476	895	93	95
2	Palakkad	423	470	893	93	91
3	Malappuram	399	476	875	95	86
4	Thrissur	398	467	865	93	87
5	Kannur	400	465	865	89	91
6	Ernakulam	386	448	834	83	89
7	Kottayam	364	434	798	77	83
8	Alappuzha	386	411	797	85	83
9	Thiruvananthapuram	372	424	796	80	87
10	Kollam	368	427	795	89	87
11	Kasaragod	377	388	765	93	85
12	Wayanad	347	373	720	85	76
13	Pathanamthitta	327	383	710	57	82
14	Idukki	297	374	671	67	57

Kerala School Kalolsavam 57th (2017)

Rank	District	HS General	HSS General	Gold Cup Point	HS Arabic	HS Sanskrit
1	Kozhikode	427	512	939	95	88
2	Palakkad	428	508	936	91	86
3	Kannur	425	508	933	95	95
4	Thrissur	429	492	921	95	91
5	Malappuram	416	491	907	91	95
6	Kottayam	401	479	880	71	87
7	Ernakulam	401	478	879	90	95
8	Kollam	391	477	868	95	88
9	Alappuzha	409	458	867	89	86
10	Wayanad	396	458	854	89	75
11	Thiruvananthapuram	384	460	844	87	81
12	Kasaragod	374	443	817	91	95
13	Pathanamthitta	352	420	772	73	82
14	Idukki	347	405	752	76	66

[11] [12]

Kerala School Kalolsavam 56th (2016)

Rank	District	HS General	HSS General	Gold Cup Point	HS Arabic	HS Sanskrit
1	Kozhikode	416	503	919	95	93
2	Palakkad	414	500	914	95	95
3	Kannur	417	491	908	95	95
4	Malappuram	410	494	904	90	95
5	Ernakulam	393	503	896	89	95
6	Thrissur	405	487	892	93	95
7	Kottayam	393	476	869	71	89
8	Kasaragod	378	466	844	95	95
9	Thiruvananthapuram	380	457	837	87	82
10	Alappuzha	376	457	833	93	84
11	Kollam	379	439	818	93	88
12	Wayanad	349	443	792	93	84
13	Pathanamthitta	355	426	781	82	91
14	Idukki	340	407	747	76	75

[13]

Kerala School Kalolsavam 55th (2015)

Rank	District	HS General	HSS General	Gold Cup Point	HS Arabic	HS Sanskrit
1	Kozhikode	414	502	916	95	95
1	Palakkad	418	498	916	95	91
2	Thrissur	407	492	899	90	95
3	Kannur	405	484	889	95	93
4	Malappuram	401	469	870	95	93
5	Ernakulam	393	467	860	91	95
6	Alappuzha	371	475	846	95	80
7	Kottayam	386	458	844	70	91
8	Kollam	386	453	839	85	95
9	Thiruvananthapuram	384	449	833	88	91
10	Kasaragod	380	452	832	95	93
11	Wayanad	367	444	811	95	86
12	Pathanamthitta	333	415	748	76	91
13	Idukki	350	370	720	68	75

[14]

Kerala School Kalolsavam 54th (2014)

Rank	District	HS General	HSS General	Gold Cup Point	HS Arabic	HS Sanskrit
1	Kozhikode	420	506	926	95	87
2	Palakkad	429	491	920	95	91
3	Thrissur	418	500	918	93	93
4	Malappuram	399	503	902	95	95
5	Kannur	397	475	872	95	89
6	Kottayam	382	464	846	45	95
7	Ernakulam	388	454	842	85	89
8	Alappuzha	377	455	832	87	80
9	Kollam	385	437	822	81	91
10	Kasargod	385	433	818	93	85
11	Thiruvananthapuram	373	431	804	82	78
12	Wayanad	366	421	787	89	70
13	Pathanamthitta	331	414	745	64	75
14	Idukki	340	384	724	55	71

[15]

Kerala School Kalolsavam 53rd (2013)

Rank	District	HS General	HSS General	Gold Cup Point	HS Arabic	HS Sanskrit
1	Kozhikode	404	488	892	95	89
2	Thrissur	404	478	882	95	93
3	Malappuram	392	469	861	95	93
4	Palakkad	394	458	852	95	95
5	Kannur	379	468	847	93	95
6	Ernakulam	372	467	839	88	91
7	Kottayam	364	438	802	74	93
8	Thiruvananthapuram	360	421	781	89	84
9	Alappuzha	352	426	778	89	77
10	Kollam	332	419	751	86	91
11	Kasargod	344	406	750	86	93
12	Pathanamthitta	309	380	689	65	82
13	Wayanad	341	397	738	89	77
14	Idukki	285	368	653	53	82

[16]

Kerala School Kalolsavam 52nd (2012)

Rank	District	HS General	HSS General	Gold Cup Point	HS Arabic	HS Sanskrit
1	Kozhikode	361	449	810	95	91
2	Thrissur	345	434	779	90	93
3	Malappuram	360	416	776	95	93
4	Kannur	354	421	775	93	91
5	Palakkad	351	418	769	95	91
6	Kottayam	329	416	745	60	87
7	Ernakulam	321	420	741	87	91
8	Thiruvananthapuram	330	405	735	86	78
9	Alappuzha	306	402	708	82	71
10	Kasargod	310	388	698	93	87
11	Kollam	304	384	688	90	87
12	Pathanamthitta	291	357	648	77	79
13	Wayanad	298	352	650	85	75
14	Idukki	261	307	568	42	58

[17]

Kerala School Kalolsavam 51st (2011)

Rank	District	HS General	HSS General	Gold Cup Point	HS Arabic	HS Sanskrit
1	Kozhikode	371	448	819	91	82
2	Thrissur	355	421	776	95	93
3	Kannur	347	420	767	95	87
4	Palakkad	357	406	763	95	91
5	Ernakulam	326	409	735	86	93
6	Kottayam	325	404	729	68	91
7	Thiruvananthapuram	323	388	711	75	79
8	Malappuram	332	373	705	95	91
9	Alappuzha	315	309	704	89	74
10	Kasargod	314	367	681	93	87
11	Kollam	301	369	670	91	78
12	Pathanamthitta	287	351	638	73	81
13	Wayanad	255	336	591	82	80
14	Idukki	243	306	549	59	47

[18]

Kerala School Kalolsavam 50th (2010)

Rank	District	HS General	HSS General	Gold Cup Point	HS Arabic	HS Sanskrit
1	Kozhikode	349	441	790	89	85
2	Kannur	318	405	723	85	93
3	Thrissur	326	394	720	89	93
4	Palakkad	328	383	711	93	93
5	Ernakulam	326	361	687	89	93
6	Thiruvananthapuram	309	361	670	72	73
7	Malappuram	286	381	667	93	85
8	Kollam	303	358	661	73	81
9	Kottayam	299	351	650	51	82
10	Kasargod	302	334	636	82	91
11	Alappuzha	293	338	631	63	82
12	Wayanad	257	308	565	85	76
13	Pathanamthitta	224	308	532	48	70
14	Idukki	220	277	497	46	24

[19]

Kerala School Kalolsavam 49th (2009)

Rank	District	HS General	HSS General	Gold Cup Point	HS Arabic	HS Sanskrit
1	Kozhikode	369	422	791	88	87
2	Thrissur	355	398	753	83	89
3	Kannur	348	386	734	85	80
4	Palakkad	336	398	734	85	85
5	Ernakulam	332	399	731	80	89
6	Kottayam	333	379	712	55	74
7	Alappuzha	307	397	704	64	76
8	Malappuram	320	381	701	90	87
9	Thiruvananthapuram	328	373	701	68	80
10	Kasargod	316	377	693	85	85
11	Kollam	300	360	660	72	85
12	Wayanad	274	339	613	85	61
13	Pathanamthitta	276	342	618	46	79
14	Idukki	268	0	549	46	29

[20]

References

1. "Kerala State School Youth Festival, Asia's biggest fest, begins today". Deccanchronicle.com. 19 January 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
2. "60th State School Art Festival to open in Thrissur today". English.mathrubhumi.com. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 24 October 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
4. "If Miss India was stepping stone to Bollywood, it was school Kalolsavam for Malayalam films". The NEWS Minute. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
5. "What's with Vineeth and school arts festivals?". Manorama Online. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
6. "Stars are born at talent festivals!". The Times of India. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
7. "58th School Kalolsavam". Malayala Manorama.
8. "Kerala Chief Minister criticises 'those' suppressing freedom of expression". Indian Express. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
9. "Kannur to host state school youth festival; athletic meet at Malappuram". English.mathrubhumi.com. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
10. http://state.schoolkalolsavam.in/state/index.php/publishresult/Public_result/leadingForGoldCup
11. "57th Kerala School Kalolsavam 2016-17". www.schoolkalolsavam.in. Archived from the original on 23 January 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2016.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
12. "The ups and downs of 57th State School Kalolsavam". English.manoramaonline.com. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
13. "56th Kerala School Kalolsavam 2015-16". Schoolkalolsavam.in. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
14. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 20 January 2015. Retrieved 21 January 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
15. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 25 January 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
16. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 27 January 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
17. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
18. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 21 January 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
19. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
20. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 19 January 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

External links

• 57thKerala School Kalolsavam 2017 Official website
• Kerala School Kalolsavam Management website
• Kerala State School Youth Festival 2017