Fri Jan 16 15:31:18 UTC 2026: ### School Arts Festival Moment: Composer Finds Unexpected Recognition
The Story
At the State School Arts Festival in Thrissur on Thursday, January 16, 2026, Shincy Siju, a student of GVHSS, Kadavoor, delivered a captivating performance of the song “Radhike ghanashyama varnante…” in the Light Music (HSS Girls) competition. Unbeknownst to her, the song’s composer, Anand Kavumvattam from Kozhikode, was in the audience. Their meeting after the performance was a pleasant surprise for Shincy, who had learned the song from YouTube.
Kavumvattam expressed delight at Shincy’s rendition, revealing that the song was originally composed for All India Radio, Kozhikode, and later recorded for an album featuring playback singer Alka Ajith, who also won a prize performing the song at a school festival. However, he voiced disappointment that he received no credit when the album was released on YouTube.
Key Points
- Shincy Siju impressed audiences at the State School Arts Festival with her performance of “Radhike ghanashyama varnante…”.
- The song was composed by Anand Kavumvattam, who was present at the festival.
- Shincy learned the song from YouTube and had no prior contact with the composer.
- Anand Kavumvattam was initially commissioned to write the song for All India Radio.
- The composer was not credited when the song was released on YouTube as part of an album.
Key Takeaways
- The event highlights the continued importance of the State School Arts Festival as a platform for showcasing young talent and preserving traditional art forms.
- It demonstrates the power of digital platforms like YouTube in disseminating music and art, while simultaneously raising concerns about intellectual property rights and attribution.
- The story underscores the emotional rewards artists derive from seeing their work appreciated and performed, even in the absence of formal recognition or financial compensation.
First Piper 