​Thiruvananthapuram: The students from the landslide-ravaged hills of Vellarmala in Wayanad delivered a wonderful performance at the 63rd Kerala School Kalolsavam here on Saturday. Seven students from Vellarmala GVHSS at Chooralmala, who endured losses during the tragic landslide last year, presented a dance that left the audience moved and inspired.

The group, comprising Veena, Sadhika, Ashwini, Anjal, Rishika, Shivapriya, and Vaiga Shibu, shared a story of survival and renewal through their performance. 

Under the guidance of Kuchipudi dancer and choreographer Anil Vettikkattiri, the students trained for just ten days to bring their story to life on the main stage at Central Stadium. The performance began with a quiet portrayal of daily school life but soon erupted into a vivid depiction of nature’s fury. The tremors of the earth, the roaring waters, and the anguish of loss were communicated through their movements. The dance ended on a note of hope, with the performers proclaiming through their gestures that “Vellarmala will rise again.”

The idea for this emotionally charged performance originated with Unnikrishnan, a teacher at the school, and the lyrics for the song were penned by Thrissur Narayanankutty. Vijayalakshmi from Nilambur lent her voice to the song, and the school community came together to arrange the funds for the performance. "The principal suggested creating a dance about the landslide, and the song was prepared by the school," said Anil. 

"These students have gone through so much. Some have lost loved ones, their homes, and their sense of stability. I had to simplify the choreography and avoid classical mudras because they had no background in dance. Still, their determination and courage inspired me as much as I tried to inspire them."

For the students, many of whom had never danced before, the training sessions became a source of solace. "When they first heard the song, they would freeze," Anil explained. "It was as though the words mirrored their own experiences, and it brought back painful memories. Slowly, I worked to bring laughter into the sessions, and they began to open up. By the end of it, they had learned not just the steps but how to channel their emotions into the performance."

Despite the challenges, including harsh weather conditions and the lingering trauma of the disaster, the students persevered. "We didn’t know we would make it to the Kalolsavam. We are so happy that we could perform here today." 

The parents also expressed their pride in their children’s resilience. "We are happy that our kids could perform despite everything they have gone through," one mother shared.
​
"These students have gone through unimaginable losses, but their performance today is a testament to the human spirit," said Anil’s wife, Premalatha.

Anil, reflecting on the journey, said, "This has been a learning experience for me as well. Teaching these children taught me the true essence of resilience. I will miss them after the Kalolsavam."

The landslides that struck Wayanad in July last year left a trail of devastation, claiming over 200 lives and displacing numerous families. Among the hardest-hit areas was Vellarmala, where homes, schools, and lives were uprooted in moments of chaos.