Kalolsavam behind the scenes: Some among the many unsung heroes who keep the show running

Kalolsavam, the grand festival that brings together thousands of participants and spectators, is not just about performances and competitions—it’s a monumental feat of organisation.

While the spotlight shines on the colorful stage performances and the sea of spectators, the true backbone of the event lies in the dedicated students who work behind the scenes to ensure the seamless flow of operations. From serving meals to managing crowd control and maintaining venue cleanliness, these dedicated young volunteers from schools and colleges in the capital city are constantly at work.

The Cadets in Central Stadium: Moving the wheels of operation 

At the heart of the action, Alakanandha and Ahalya, the Student Police Cadets from a school in Thiruvananthapuram can be seen running across Central Stadium, which is the food court of the Kalolsavam event. Every day, over 20,000 people arrive at the stadium for breakfast and lunch.

These student cadets are the first to arrive after each batch of people finish their meals—an elaborate feast including traditional delights, Paysam, a different one every day.

As soon as the crowd moves on, the cadets step in to clear the tables. Alakanandha and Ahalya carefully collect used glasses, carrying them to the kitchen where a group of women waits to wash them. The task is seemingly simple, but the timing and coordination are key. Within minutes, the hall is ready for the next batch, and these cadets rush back with fresh glasses and containers, ensuring a smooth transition.

“Being chosen to be here makes us really happy. The works are well-divided, we collect the glasses while some other team serves the food” says Alakanandha. “It’s our first time attending Kalolsavam, and we are excited. The food is amazing too,” she says. 

Scouts and Guides: The young team serving the masses

At the crack of dawn, a group of young Scouts from Mithirmala School are already stationed at Central Stadium. Their main task is straightforward—serving food to the thousands of participants and coordinators. Tinu Raj, Arjun, Asif, Kasinath, and Gokul are among the group that works tirelessly to ensure that everyone receives their breakfast and lunch. Though they are new to this kind of outdoor event, the team is enthusiastic and efficient in their role.

“Our primary duty is to serve the food. After the meal, another team handles clearing the tables, but we make sure everyone gets their portion,” says Gokul. As they pose for a group picture, Kasinath shares their excitement, “This is a great work experience. Payasam is definitely our favorite part of the meal. We would love to come back for the next Kalolsavam.”

NCC volunteers: Maintaining order in the chaos

The Ayyankali Hall in University College is buzzing with energy, as students from Mar Ivanios College take charge of crowd management. Abhishek, a second-year student, is among the group of 13 cadets from the National Cadet Corps (NCC) who are tasked with maintaining order during the event.

“We are responsible for ensuring the smooth flow of the crowd, preventing congestion, and guiding people to their designated areas,” says Abhishek. The team of volunteers is spread across the venue, ensuring that no chaos disrupts the event. Other cadets, like Nikhil, Simra, and Anamika, are assigned specific areas within the venue, ensuring that everything stays organized and safe.

NSS Volunteers: Ensuring sustainability and welfare

At the Government LPS School in Thycaud, NSS (National Service Scheme) volunteers from Arcadia School are busy guarding the doors and ensuring that the Green Protocol is followed. Paurnamika, a volunteer, explains their role, “We ensure that no plastic bottles are brought into the venue. It’s part of the Green Protocol we’re following to make the event more sustainable.”

“There are four main duties that we have to carry out--Green Protocol, Law and order, Stage duty and welfare,” she explains. Welfare is a critical part of their responsibility, ensuring that water is always available for the attendees, and any other immediate needs are met. The volunteers work in shifts, ensuring that no one gets overwhelmed by the continuous tasks.

A seamless system of rotation and collaboration

The duties are rotated every few hours, with different groups of students from various schools taking over tasks, ensuring that no one is overburdened. This rotation system ensures that the volunteers remain energetic and engaged throughout the day, all while keeping the massive event running smoothly.

Kalolsavam may be a grand celebration of talent and culture, but it is also a testament to the service of these young volunteers. They are also the heroes of the festival, ensuring that everything goes according to plan, one meal, one crowd, and one glass at a time.