Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan rejected the allegations that adivasis were made an ‘exhibit’ and put up for display at the Keraleeyam Adimam living museum. He said that the propaganda stating that artists were made showpieces does not have good intentions. It is an effort to diminish the success of the spectacular Keraleeyam programme, he added. The CM was speaking to the media in Thiruvananthapuram.

“Adimam is a platform to represent folk art forms. This opportunity was made available by the Folklore Academy. The huts put up for display were constructed after consulting gurus and elders who knew about the methods. How is it wrong for the artists to perform in front of those  huts on the model of their forefathers? They were happy that so many people saw their performance. The picture that is circulated was of them resting outside the huts. Such programmes are held everywhere in the world. It was not an attempt to place adivasis on a showcase,” the CM said. 

Attributing Keraleeyam’s success to the hard work and determination of thousands of people, the CM said that preparations for the next edition of 'Keraleeyam' would begin right away. For that, the state cabinet meeting held today has formed an organising committee with the chief secretary as its chairman, he said.

Further explaining the structure of the panel, he said the managing director of KSIDC (Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd) would be its convenor, with secretaries of various departments as its members.

"This panel will start preparations for the next edition of Keraleeyam now itself, and Kerala can be presented to the world with more excellence next year," the CM said.

Explaining the significance of conducting such an event, he said 67 years have passed since the formation of the state, and it has been able to stand tall as an exemplary model in front of the world in various aspects within this short span of time.

Taking a dig at the opposition parties who had dubbed 'Keraleeyam' a waste of money and extravagance, he pointed out the participation of veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar and BJP veteran O Rajagopal in the event.

"All these were indications that the criticism and accusations raised against the event did not affect the people or even those in leadership ranks," he said.

He said a section of people were raising questions about whether such a programme was necessary during a crisis. The government, however, does not consider the expenditure required for the progress of the state as wasteful, the CM added.

Stating that a Nava Kerala action plan was announced during the culmination of 'Keraleeyam', he said a 'Nava Kerala Sadas', a meeting of the state ministers with the civil society representatives, would also be held as part of it from November 18.

(Inputs from PTI)