Thiruvananthapuram North leading at District School Arts Festival

District School Arts Festival at Neyyattinkara ends with fierce competition for championship trophy, final results awaited.

As four days of dance, music, and creativity drew to a close on the last day of competitions at the District School Arts Festival under way at Neyyattinkara, the fight for the championship trophy looked set to go down to the wire.

Thiruvananthapuram North delivered a strong performance on Thursday to grab the lead with 815 points  even as results trickled in into the night. Thiruvananthapuram South was in second position with 804 points. Kilimanoor that had not given up the top position the first three days was bumped down to third, with 798 points.

Among schools, Carmel Higher Secondary School, Vazhuthacaud, continued to lead with 248 points. SK VHS, Nanniyode, Palode, held on to the second position with 199 points. KTCT EM HSS, Kaduvayil, Kilimanoor, was in third position with 177 points.

The final picture is expected to emerge by Friday noon.

The highlight of the events on Thursday was the tribal art forms. The dances such as Irula dance, Malapulayattam, Mangalamkali were becoming part of the arts festival for the first time and were performed to a packed house.

Other popular events such as Mohiniyattom, group dance, Oppana, Margamkali, and Chavittunatakam sustained viewer interest. Mimicry and mono-act drew loud applause, while drama too saw an enthusiastic response.

The valedictory of the festival will be inaugurated by Minister for Registration and Museums Kadannappally Ramachandran at 3 p.m. on Friday.