Kerala Kalolsavam 2026 | Kannur crowned champions at State School Arts Festival

Renju Renjimar, a popular make-up artist, was so moved by watching her own life story unfold on the State School Arts Festival stage that she broke down. Maya Sajan’s retelling of the transwoman’s poignant story in the mono act (HSS Girls) contest was that good.

Sitting near Renju was Ambilikala, who had come to watch the festival from Thriprayar. Someone who is more into poetry than performing arts, she was aware of the travails of the transgender community. “But I had no idea what all agonies they have to go through in our society for no fault of theirs, until I saw that superb piece of mono act,” she says. “I was so shaken.” Ambilikala went up to Renju and said, “All I could do is to say sorry to you.”

She was doing it on behalf of society. That is the power of art. That is why the State School Arts Festival is important, though there are people who wonder if it is still relevant in the times of social media.

Humane act

The 64th edition of the festival, which concluded here on Sunday, will always be remembered for another, even more poignant act of humaneness. Siya Fathima, a student from Kasaragod, was given the permission to participate online from her home as she is undergoing treatment for vasculitis, a rare condition in which the body’s immune system attacks its own blood vessels. She had written a letter to General Education Minister V. Sivankutty about her painful condition. She became the first student to compete online. And she won an A grade too.

Siya is one of the several stars at the festival, in which Kannur was crowned the champion. The host and defending champion Thrissur gave a tough competition, but had to settle for the runner-up position.

Kannur won the Gold Cup, scoring 1,028 points, five more than Thrissur. Kozhikode, the most dominant force in the festival, finished third with 1,017 points, followed by Palakkad (1,013), Kollam (988), and Malappuram (981).

BSS Gurkulam, Alathur, retained the title for the best school, scoring 238 points, pushing behind SVGVHSS, Kidangannur (157),  and MGMHSS, Mananthavady (136).

Actor Mohanlal was the chief guest at the closing ceremony, which was inaugurated by Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan, in the presence of Mr. Sivankutty, Ministers K. Rajan, R. Bindu and Speaker A.N. Shamseer, among others.