Fri Dec 06 16:44:50 UTC 2024: ## Thrissur School Arts Festival Concludes with Triumphs and Turmoil
**Kunnamkulam, Kerala –** The Thrissur Revenue District School Arts Festival concluded on Saturday after a week of vibrant performances and some organizational challenges. Tens of thousands of students from 12 sub-districts participated in the festival, held across 17 venues in Kunnamkulam.
The festival showcased a wide range of traditional art forms, including captivating tribal dances like Irula, Paniya, Mangalamkali, Malayappuliyattam, and Paliyannritham. A particularly moving performance was the mono-act depicting the struggles of children in Gaza, which won first prize in the high school girls’ category.
However, the festival wasn’t without its problems. Significant delays plagued several events, most notably the Oppana competition. Scheduled for the afternoon, it didn’t begin until late evening, forcing young participants, many in elaborate and restrictive costumes, to wait for hours. The extreme wait led to several students collapsing from exhaustion and heat, with six requiring hospitalization. There were also protests regarding the judging of the Thiruvathirakali competition, with allegations of malpractice.
Despite these issues, organizers maintained a positive atmosphere throughout the festival, which concluded with the awarding of prizes. The incident highlights the need for better planning and resource allocation in future events to prevent similar occurrences.
First Piper 