Alappuzha wants to be Kalolsavam champs

Alappuzha: Alappuzha, which is hosting the state school Kalolsavam for the fourth time since it was started in 1957, is determined to make it a success leaving behind the memories of the August floods.

Alappuzha was a strong contender for the cup in the sixties and early seventies when it won the cup five times-- 1962 (at Changanassery, Kottayam), 1964 (Thiruvalla, Pathanamthitta), 1965 (Shornur, Palakkad), 1968 (Thrissur), and 1971 (Alappuzha). Thereafter, it failed to make the grade thanks to the lack of interest shown by the district administration and the district education department.

First-hosted by Erna-kulam in 1957, the festival was cancelled four times--1966, ’67,’72 and ’73. This time also, it was on the verge of cancellation but it has survived and, Alappuzha, the smallest district, has a chance to bring back the cup after 47 years as host of the 59th edition which begins here on Friday.

Alappuzha has become the venue after 15 years. The festival was conducted here in 1971, ’90 and 2003,  and at Mavelikara, the south-eastern town in the district, in 1974, when Thiruvananthapuram lifted the trophy.

According to the organisers, 12,000 contestants will compete on 29 stages for three days from December 7 to 9.

Though Alappuzha was one of the worst-hit districts in the August floods, the organisers are leaving no stone unturned to make the low-key event a grand success and ensure the comforts of the young participants.

The venues have been named after the literary works of famous writers born here or who had spent the major part of their life in Alappuzha. The nature of the events to be staged has also been considered while naming the venues. The three-day event will strictly follow the green protocol.

To create awareness on the green protocol, a counter named after Hortus Malabaricus has been opened at the main venue at Leo XIII HSS. Volunteers have been deployed to collect plastic bottles. The National Service Scheme Haritha Sena and DTPC cleaning workers will clean up the venues. Raids will be carried out in shops and hotels in the city to ensure quality food and waste baskets will be set up across the city to avoid the garbage problem, they said.

Arrangements are in full swing at EMS stadium to prepare the food for the contestants. From there, the food will be taken to the other distribution centres at SDV school ground, UPS, Thiruvanbadi, and Pooknavu HS. The food will be prepared by Pazhayidom Mohanan Namboodhiri.