The Hindu posed two questions on the conduct of the State School Arts Festival before three prominent figures from varied fields. And they came up with interesting observations and innovative ideas.
D Babu Paul, former Additional Chief Secretary
‘‘For long, dance events get prominent venues and media attention while short story, poetry and painting are held at some venue, somewhere. This should change. These competitions should be held on the first day of the festival. The works of winners should be displayed prominently at the main venues. Arrangements should be made for students to render their poems and narrate their stories before the public. The chances of an 'M.T. Vasudevan Nair' emerging from the school literary event are higher than the chances of a 'Manju Warrier' emerging from a dance competition. The authorities could hold grooming sessions for students in government schools in places such as Wayanad, Kasaragod, and other districts in dance events, which have often become competitions for the affluent to flaunt their wealth.’’
Bose Krishnamachari, president, Kochi Biennale Foundation
‘‘All schools should have one room dedicated to craft and arts. Children should go into that space and work on their creativity. The management could engage not only teachers on the campus, but also invite noted artistes, performers from outside to visit the school and interact with the children. The drawings, short stories and poems produced by the students in school arts festival should not be thrown away after the event. It should be preserved. School authorities should also educate the children about national and international Indian artists. They could publish a brochure having information on at least 10 such artists.’’
Kureepuzha Sreekumar, poet
‘‘Children participating in the festival should be free from the unnecessary intervention of parents and teachers. They need not be dejected if they can’t win or bag an ‘A’ grade. The fear of whether they would get grace marks should not affect them. To make it a true festival, there is only one solution — the government should do away with grace marks. Why can't we think of elevating the school festival into one similar to the popularity and acceptance of Sharadotsav held at Shantiniketan or the Kalidasa Samaroh in Ujjain.’’
