Kerala School Kalolsavam
School Arts Festival of Kerala is an annual event conducted by the state government of Kerala, featuring several art competitions for high school and higher secondary school students of Kerala. The festival was started in 1956, and till 2008, it was called as "Kerala State School Youth Festival". The participants are students from classes 8th to 12th. Winners from different revenue districts for a particular event will be competing in state level competition. The event is usually conducted in December–January months of a year and is considered to be the biggest cultural event of Asia. 61st edition of Kerala School Kalolsavam, 2020-21 is scheduled at Kollam.
History
Kerala SchoolsKalolsavam is a festival unique in its structure and organisation. The organisational set up from school level to state level for the conduct of the Kalolsavam is monitored by Education Department as per the manual drafted by experts in the field. Looking back into the history of School Kalolsavam in the last 53 years it is seen that the Kalolsavam has refined much in letter and spirit. Students get opportunity to express their talent in school level, sub district level, district level and at last at state level. When performers reach state level, perfection reaches its zenith.
In 1956-57 when the School Yuvajanolsavam began, it hadn't reached anywhere near the variety, pomp and the vast canvas which the festival has now reached. Dr.C.S.Venkiteswaran was the DPI in 1956. He had the opportunity to participate in the Inter-University festival at Delhi during that time. This inspired the great visionary to organize a similar festival at school level and thus he sowed the seed of School Kalolsavam at Ernakulam SRV High School in 1956. Programme was scheduled for one day and there were 200 participants. Mid-day meal and tea was served. Participation was directly from school level. Year by year more and more items were included, and number of days of the Kalolsavam was increased. Number of participants have increased to ten thousand.
From 1956-1957 to 2008-2009 School Kalolsavam has crossed many mile stones. Now Govt. has active involvement with peoples representatives from Grama Panchayath level to Corporation Level, Member of Legislative Assembly to Members of Parliament, Ministers etc. giving all support for the success of the Kalolsavam. While in 1956-57 there were only 200 participants, in 2008-2009 there are nearly 10,000 participants. While in 1956-57, it was a business of one day, today it is a festival of 7 days. The decorative main stage accommodates thousands of people. Delicious food is prepared for breakfast, mid day meals & supper for nearly ten thousand participants. The year 1975, when the festival was hosted at Calicut, was a turning point in the history of School Kalolsavam. Many art forms of Kerala tradition like Kathakali music, Mohiniyattom, Aksharaslokam etc. got entry to Kalolsavam for the first time. As a prelude to the Kalolsavam, proclamation rally was organised in 1975. Later on Margomkali, Kuchipudi, Yakshaganam, Band display etc. got entry to the Kalolsavam. By the end of eighties, ever rolling Golden Cup of 117.5 sovereign gold was awarded to the overall winning Revenue District. This Gold Cup was designed by Chirayankeezhu Srikandan Nair who was an Art Instructor in Education Department.
In the year 2000, Millennium trophy a beautiful dancing Nataraja trophy was introduced. Today there are numerous trophies, cash prizes, grace marks etc. to the winners. The system of Kalathilakam & Kalaprathiba was dispensed with to eliminate unhealthy competition. The festival has a foolproof system to encourage thousands of students in various Art & Literary forms in each academic year. Perfect time management, impartial Judgement, on the spot arrangements to dispose of appeals etc. has always been a matter of concern. From 2008-2009 it becomes a festival of students from Std.VIII to Plus 2 level. In a Nut Shell, School Kalolsavam is a Kaleidoscope of Kerala's young talent in the field of Art and Literature. Each year the venue of the Kalolsavam is changed from one District to another to ensure the participation of the people throughout the state.
Malayalam film actors from Kalolsavam
Kerala School Kalolsavam has often helped film-makers to find new talent and fresh faces for actors to Malayalam cinema. Many actors of Malayalam film industry were participants of Kerala school kalolsavams.| Sl. No | Actor Name | Position won in Kalolsavam |
| 1 | Vineeth | 'Kalaprathibha' title in 1986 |
| 2 | Divyaa Unni | 'Kalathilakam' title in 1990 and 1991 |
| 3 | Manju Warrier | 'Kalathilakam' title in 1992 and 1995 |
| 4 | Navya Nair | Kalolsavam 2001 |
| 5 | Ambili Devi | 'Kalathilakam' title in 2001 |
| 6 | Kavya Madhavan | 'Kalathilakam' title sub-district level |
| 7 | Vineeth Kumar | 'Kala Prathibha' title in 1988 |
| 8 | Vineeth Sreenivasan | first prize for Mappila Songs in 2000 |
| 9 | Vinduja Menon | 'Kalathilakam' title in 1991 |
| 10 | Shivajith Padmanabhan | 'Kalaprathibha' title in 1998 & 1999 |
60th Kerala School Kalolsavam 2019
The 60th Kerala School Kalolsavam was held at Kanhangad. 239 events were held spread across 28 stages during the four-day festival at Kanhangad.One of the highlights of this year’s youth festival was the active participation from the local residents. Kanhangad, which hosted youth festival, gave a warm welcome to the fest and its participants.Contrary to the usual, the participants were accommodated at the houses of nearby residents which showed the love and care of the people of Kanhangad. People enmasse turned up to watch various competitions despite the heavy rain on the final day.
Palakkad has been crowned the champions of the event.
58th Kerala School Kalolsavam 2018
The cultural capital of Kerala, Thrissur, hosted the 58th Kerala School Kalolsavam at various venues across Thrissur town. The venues were named after various trees native to Kerala, this highlighted the go-green initiative taken up by the students and organisers of the festival. The festivities skyrocketed on 6 January 2018 and Asia's biggest art celebration was inaugurated by Honourable Speaker, P. Sreeramakrishnan at 10 am on Saturday. It was informed that the chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan would not be able to inaugurate the function as he has to attend the state party conference at Kollam. 14 traditional art forms was performed at the premises of the main venue, Thekkinkadu Maidanam. As many as 1,000 girls performed a Thiruvathira in front of the main venue.The festival revived the spirit of Pooram, with sound instruments stirring memories of Ilanjithara Melam and dance items fetching images of Kudamattam, while musical items reviverd the joy of Panchavadyam.
The youth festival covered 5 days, 234 events, nearly 12,000 contestants from all over Kerala.
It has been the 9th time, Thrissur has hosted the festival, with the first being a low-profile event in 1962 amid the Indo-China war. The festival concluded on Wednesday, 10 January after hosting 234 events on 24 venues. As many as 8,354 students gained direct wntry to take part in the competitions. However, the number of contestants went above 12,000 since appeals are considered.
This was the first Kalolsavam to be held as per the revised manual since 2008.
A green protocol, aiming at zero-pollution, was in effect at the festival venues.
Students were lodged in 21 schools around the city. Culinary expert Pazhayidam Mohanan Namboodiri was tasked with preparation of food. The expenses of the festival was estimated to cross ₹ 1.5 crore.
57th Kerala School Kalolsavam 2017
The 57th State School Kalolsavam is being held at Kannur from 16 to 22 January. Over 12000 participants will compete in 232 categories including 172 stage events. The festival is being held adhering to the green protocol. The venues are named after major rivers of Kerala. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the event at the main venue named Nila at the Police Ground, Kannur. Renowned playback singer K S Chitra was the Chief Guest on the occasion.Venues and Winners of Yesteryears
district is the current champions. Kozhikode district is the most successful team.| Number | Year | Venue | Gold Cup Winners |
| 1 | 1957 | Ernakulam | Malabar |
| 2 | 1958 | Thiruvananthapuram | Thiruvananthapuram |
| 3 | 1959 | Palakkad | Kozhikode |
| 4 | 1960 | Kozhikode | Thalassery |
| 5 | 1961 | Thiruvananthapuram | Thiruvananthapuram |
| 6 | 1962 | Kottayam | Alappuzha |
| 7 | 1963 | Thrissur | Thiruvananthapuram |
| 8 | 1964 | Pathanamthitta | Alappuzha |
| 9 | 1965 | Palakkad | Alappuzha |
| .. | 1966 | Not conducted | - |
| .. | 1967 | Not conducted | - |
| 10 | 1968 | Thrissur | Alappuzha |
| 11 | 1969 | Kottayam | Irinjalakkuda |
| 12 | 1970 | Thrissur | Irinjalakkuda |
| 13 | 1971 | Alappuzha | Alappuzha |
| .. | 1972 | Not conducted | - |
| .. | 1973 | Not conducted | - |
| 14 | 1974 | Alappuzha | Thiruvananthapuram |
| 15 | 1975 | Kottayam | Kottayam |
| 16 | 1976 | Kozhikode | Thiruvananthapuram |
| 17 | 1977 | Ernakulam | Thiruvananthapuram |
| 18 | 1978 | Thrissur | Thiruvananthapuram |
| 19 | 1979 | Kottayam | Kottayam |
| 20 | 1980 | Thiruvananthapuram | Thiruvananthapuram |
| 21 | 1981 | Palakkad | Thiruvananthapuram |
| 22 | 1982 | Kannur | Thiruvananthapuram |
| 23 | 1983 | Ernakulam | Thiruvananthapuram |
| 24 | 1984 | Kottayam | Thiruvananthapuram |
| 25 | 1985 | Ernakulam | Thiruvananthapuram |
| 26 | 1986 | Thrissur | Thiruvananthapuram |
| 27 | 1987 | Kozhikode | Thiruvananthapuram |
| 28 | 1988 | Kollam | Thiruvananthapuram |
| 29 | 1989 | Ernakulam | Thiruvananthapuram |
| 30 | 1990 | Alappuzha | Ernakulam |
| 31 | 1991 | Kasaragod | Kozhikode |
| 32 | 1992 | Malappuram | Kozhikode |
| 33 | 1993 | Thrissur | Kozhikode |
| 34 | 1994 | Kozhikode | Thrissur |
| 35 | 1995 | Kannur | Ernakulam |
| 36 | 1996 | Kottayam | Thrissur |
| 37 | 1997 | Ernakulam | Kannur |
| 38 | 1998 | Thiruvananthapuram | Kannur |
| 39 | 1999 | Kollam | Thrissur |
| 40 | 2000 | Palakkad | Kannur & Ernakulam |
| 41 | 2001 | Idukki | Kozhikode |
| 42 | 2002 | Kozhikode | Kozhikode |
| 43 | 2003 | Alappuzha | Ernakulam |
| 44 | 2004 | Thrissur | Kozhikode |
| 45 | 2005 | Malappuram | Kozhikode |
| 46 | 2006 | Ernakulam | Palakkad |
| 47 | 2007 | Kannur | Kozhikode |
| 48 | 2008 | Kollam | Kozhikode |
| 49 | 2009 | Thiruvananthapuram | Kozhikode |
| 50 | 2010 | Kozhikode | Kozhikode |
| 51 | 2011 | Kottayam | Kozhikode |
| 52 | 2012 | Thrissur | Kozhikode |
| 53 | 2013 | Malappuram | Kozhikode |
| 54 | 2014 | Palakkad | Kozhikode |
| 55 | 2015 | Kozhikode | Kozhikode & Palakkad |
| 56 | 2016 | Thiruvananthapuram | Kozhikode |
| 57 | 2017 | Kannur | Kozhikode |
| 58 | 2018 | Thrissur | Kozhikode |
| 59 | 2019 | Alappuzha | Palakkad |
| 60 | 2020 | Kanhangad | Palakkad |
| 61 | 2021 | Kollam | TBD |