Approximately 450 children from 14 districts are set to participate in the sixth edition of the State BUDS School Kalolsavam, themed ‘Thillana,’ beginning in Kollam on January 9, 2024.
The art festival will be inaugurated by the Minister for Local Self-Governments M.B. Rajesh and will take place at the Sree Narayana Guru Cultural Complex on January 9 and 10.
The event will be presided over by Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal, with the Minister for Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development J. Chinchurani leading the valedictory function.
Key speakers include M. Mukesh, an MLA, and Dinesh, the executive director of Kudumbashree, alongside Mayor Ernest Prasanna. M. Noushad, another MLA, will introduce the DUDS theme product marketing stall. Additional participants include MLAs P.S. Supal, Koovur Kunjumon, G.S. Jayalal, P.S. Vishnunath, C.R. Mahesh, along with district panchayat president P.K. Gopan and Deputy Mayor Kollam Madhu.
The festival features five venues, encompassing 15 events across 22 categories, with competitions taking place on five stages named Manju, Rangam, Sukrutam, Kadavu, and Kaliveedu.
Participants have been selected from Kudumbashree BUDS institutions, including BUDS schools catering to children with special needs and BUDS rehabilitation centers for individuals over 18. Winners from the district-level competitions will showcase their talents at this state-level festival.
Currently, there are 13,081 students in training at 378 BUDS schools established under various local bodies.
This year’s Thillana introduces an online registration system for participants. Kudumbashree members will ensure food provisions for contestants throughout the festival. Organizers have set up arrangements akin to traditional school and college art festivals, including adequate transportation and facilities for a seamless experience. Furthermore, various promotional activities such as a reels competition, wall paintings, kite flying, and processions are planned for participants.
Published – January 08, 2025 06:37 pm IST
