Schools representing Rashtriya Madhyamik Shikha Abhiyan (RMSA), Kerala, have done the State proud in Kala Utsav, a national-level festival of art, held in Bhopal recently.
The festival, organised by the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development for nurturing local arts, was held at the Regional Institute of Education in Bhopal from January 3 to 5.
Kadambur Higher Secondary School, Kannur, bagged the first position in dance and Government Higher Secondary School, Manjeri, secured the second position in music.
Students from 36 States and Union Territories took part in the festival, the biggest for schoolchildren that focusses on local art forms. The competition categories included theatre arts, visual arts, dance, and music.
Pangi
In dance, the teams perform folk dances of other States. Himachal Pradesh and Kerala presented each other’s dances this year — Himachal performed Thiruvathirakali and Kerala presented Pangi.
Pangi, a difficult folk dance form, was performed brilliantly by the Kadambur school team to secure the top spot. On the way, it bested Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya.
In music, the Manjeri school team presented Thottampaatu to bag the second position.Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development (MHRD) Upendra Kushwaha gave away the prizes.
RMSA State project director Rahul R. congratulated the winners on their good show.
The MHRD launched the festival in 2011 to promote appreciation for folk arts among students. In 2016, Kerala had secured the second position in theatre arts.Winners of the State-level festival organised by the RMSA make it to the national Kala Utsav. This year, the State-level festival was held in Alappuzha. Diverse participation, as part of the Public Education Rejuvenation Campaign, proved crucial in attaining success at the national festival, a statement from the RMSA said.
