Acts of solidarity with Palestine won prizes and hearts at the 64th Kerala School Kalolsavam, held at Asia’s largest school arts festival, as students brought themes of resistance, remembrance, and humanitarian suffering.
This year’s Kalolsavam featured multiple artistic interventions referencing Palestine, including mimicry acts that depicted the destruction in Gaza, an Arabic monologue highlighting humanitarian suffering and aid work, and the play Bhasha, which focused on refugee experiences, displacement, and compassion.
One of the most striking moments came from Minha, a Plus Two student of KHMHSS Alathiyur, who secured an A grade in Mappilappattu after performing a song centred on Palestine, an unusual and risky choice at an event where participants typically avoid politically charged themes.
The song was written by her teacher, Maliyekkal Abu Kenza (Faisal Kanmanam), at the height of Israel’s assault on Gaza, with music composed by Muhsin Kurikkal. Despite being warned that the theme could negatively affect her evaluation, Minha chose to go ahead with the performance, treating it, she later told Maktoob, as both a prayer and an act of solidarity.
Her decision was met with admiration, as the judges awarded her excellence and the audience responded with silence, respect, and thunderous applause. This was not her first success; Minha had earlier secured A grades in Ghazal at the district level, in Mappilapattu in 2023, and even led performances in Oppana, all while studying Carnatic music under Mohanan Sir of Tanur.
Kerala’s revenue minister, K Rajan, joined people in praising the performance of the Arabic group song girls of Chennamangallur HSS. He posted a video of the girls donning Kuffiyahs receiving an award from him.
Kerala has long witnessed cultural and political solidarity with Palestine, with artists, students, and civil society groups framing the issue as one of justice, human rights, and anti-colonial resistance. The presence of such themes at a school-level cultural festival underscores how deeply the issue has resonated with younger generations.
Kannur has emerged as winners of the Kalolsavam this year as the curtains fall for the five-day event.
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