Thiruvathirakali was performed at the main venue on the second day of the State School Arts Festival, on January 15, 2026.
| Photo Credit: K.K. Mustafah
Dressed in a blue brocade blouse and kasavu mundu, and accessorised by beautiful and tasteful jewellery, S. Varada painted a pretty picture at the Thekkinkadu Maidan, as she talked about how much it meant for her to dance at the State School Arts Festival for the first time.
“I was a bit nervous when I saw all those thousands of spectators when I entered the stage, as I had never performed in front of such a big crowd,” said the Plus One student from Govt. Model HSS, Ambalapuzha. “The other girls all danced really well.”
So did Varada. The testament came in the form of the ‘A’ Grade she won for her portrayal of a kind Thamburatti (high society woman) in the Folk Dance (HSS Girls), one of the highlights of the second day of the School Festival. “I really wish I could have taken part in the State School Festival earlier,” she said. “I hope to be back for next year, which will be my last chance.”
While the Folk Dance for the girls continued, the boys (HS) were performing Bharatanatyam on the main stage, not far away. On that stage, then it was the turn of the graceful girls of Thiruvathirkali (HSS).
Oppana was one of the biggest crowd-pullers at the State School Arts Festival on January 15, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
K.K. Mustafah
The day also saw Drama, easily one of the most popular events always at the School Festival. And yet again it drew a full house for the competition in the HS category at the Chaldean Syrian HSS Ground. The drama lovers were treated to some excellent productions.
One of the relatively new competitions at the School Festival, the tribal dance Mangalamkali, proved a surprise hit with the audience. Oppana drawing attracting a huge crowd was, of course, no surprise.
Some of the day’s best shows came, expectedly, at the Light Music (HSS) contest at the Kerala Bank Auditorium. There were a few superb performances, such as the rendition by Shincy Siju of GVHSS, Kadavoor. She has a pleasing voice and has fine diction too. She rendered Radhike ghanashyama varnante.
In the race for the Gold Cup, Kannur, was in the lead position at the time of filing this report, with 407 points. Kozhikode was on 405, while the host and defending champion Thrissur had 403.
Published – January 15, 2026 08:58 pm IST
