It was a few minutes to 11 in the morning, nearly time for the short story writing competition to begin. Fifteen-year-old Veda sat in rapt attention, listening to her father, Pramod K.V. As Veda — also known as Vedalakshmi Poovalliyil — hurried inside to take part in the event at St. Thomas College HSS, Thrissur, Pramod let out a sigh of relief.
The pair were there to honour a dream nurtured by Veda’s late mother, Joonambika Poovalliyil — to see her daughter grow into a storyteller. Their joy knew no bounds when Veda secured ‘A’ grade.
For many gathered at the venue, participating in literary and art competitions such as short story writing, cartooning, or essay writing, moments of effort and emotion often pass unnoticed, far removed from the glitz and applause of on-stage performances. Yet students prepare for these events with equal diligence, even when their achievements rarely draw public acclaim.
Seventeen-year-old Sai Madhav, a student of BSS Gurukulam Higher Secondary School, says that while these competitions may lack spectacle, they have a devoted following of their own. “I am always excited to take part in these competitions. There is no room to overthink or feel nervous about anything else. Writing offers immense scope for experimentation,” he says.
Nandana S, a Class X student from the same school, agrees. Though such events may not immediately appeal to the general public, she believes they play a vital role in preserving and popularising languages. “We are like those behind the curtains—we are here, but no one really sees us. Yet it is through these competitions that some of us begin to fall in love with a new language. That’s how I started exploring Sanskrit,” says the 15-year-old.
The events may lack outward glamour, students and parents concede, but they remain deeply meaningful. “These students cannot — and need not — put up a show for the public,” says Pramod. “Creating stories or cartoons demands solitude. Even if it is not about prizes or publicity, they go home with lasting memories, and that should be the focus.”
Published – January 14, 2026 08:57 pm IST
