T'puram: stellar start to Thala Maholsavam

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Everyone who expected to listen to a speech from Public Works Minister V K Ibrahim Kunju saw him making strike on a ‘chenda’ to flag off the proclamation rally of the three-day long cultural programme ‘Thala Maholsavam’ which is to begin here on Thursday. Even without uttering a single word on the occasion, he performed his part perfectly on stage with this interesting gesture. While delivering the welcome speech, Vilakkudi Rajendran, member secretary of Vyloppilli Samskriti Bhavan informed the gathering that the Minister would not make a speech owing to a throat infection. Though he did not play the exact notes of ‘shingari melam’, the sound of the instrument made the entire occasion raise to the status of a perfect melam repertoire.  Dressed in typical Kerala attire, the ‘shingari melam’ team, which included 15 girls and a few boys, thrilled the audience with their short performance on stage. The team then moved into a float set in the form of a ‘koothambalam’ on a lorry which headed to Kariavattom. The proclamation rally then halted at the department of Malayalam at the University campus of Kariavattom and then proceeded to Kazhakoottam Junction, Balaramapuram and concluded at Palace Junction, Kovalam.  The inaugural dais had noted personalities in the cultural scenario including lyricist and vice chairman of Vyloppilli Samskriti Bhavan Anil Panachooran, Director of State Institute of Languages, M R Thampan, Kanayi Kunjiraman, film director Balu Kiriyath and  many others.The day started off with a ‘Kaviyarangu’ at VJT Hall which had the participation of numerous poets in Malayalam. The ‘Kaviarangu’ was inaugurated by poet Chunakkara Ramankutty well before the inaugural ceremony. Every poet who participated in the programme presented their poems before the audience. The rhythmic charm of poetry added to the melam repertoire that followed. Cultural Affairs Minister K C Joseph will inaugurate ‘Thalamaholsavam’ on Thursday at  Vyloppilli Samskriti Bhavan. On all the three days, a feast of traditional art forms will be performed at the venue. The programme is organised by the Samskriti Bhavan.