Wadakkanchery: With the Kerala State School Arts Festival (Kerala State School Kalolsavam) only a few days away, Wadakkanchery is bustling with activities. 

Painkulam Narayana Chakyar is busy training his students in Koodiyattam, Chakyarkoothu, Nangiarkoothu, and Padakam. 170 students are practising under him for the grand faceoff on Kalolsavam stages in Kollam in January 2024. 

Narayana Chakyar's students have a special bond of friendship and a sense of camaraderie that helps them grow as artists and humans. The ace master is pleased that none of his students has ever questioned or gone against the verdicts of the judges in Kalolsavam events, which he says is a testimonial to their artistic outlook. 

“Those that perform well on stage will be considered the winners. Everyone receives the same amount of excellent guidance. The children of the next generation are courageous. They come to training by themselves, without the company of their parents. I am always tense. I only sleep after verifying that each of them has returned home following the training session,” says Narayan Chakyar.