Logo of the 61st edition of Kerala State School Kalolsavam
Kozhikode: Kerala State School Kalolsavam constitutes several art forms indigenous to the state and many others adapted from the neighbouring states of Kerala. Though Kalolsavam emerges as a venue to experience all these art forms under a single festival, no representation has been given yet for the tribals in Kerala and their art forms.
As many as 239 events are there in the 61st edition of Kerala State School Kalolsavam, which includes the Sanskrit festival and the Arabic literature festival. However, the tribal population and art forms in Kerala have not found their way to the festivals of the youth even after completing 60 editions.
The demand to include the tribal art forms in Kalolsavam was first raised in 2015 following a report published by Mathrubhumi. Later, the then Minister for General Education PK Abdu Rabb assured that this shortfall would be addressed soon. Though 7 art forms were later included in the list of items in the Kalolsavam, no tribal art forms were added.
A separate festival named ‘Sargolsavam’ had been conducted for 20 residential schools under the Scheduled Tribes Development Department. The festival, which was stalled due to Covid 19 was not resumed later.
A few tribal students will participate in the Kerala State School Kalolsavam scheduled in Kozhikode from January 3 to 7, 2023. However, the shortage of enough resources remains an impediment for them to compete with other students, opined teachers. They also urged the government to include Sargolsavam under the ambit of Kerala State School Kalolsavam.