In a rare intervention to uphold fairness in school cultural competitions, the Kerala High Court on Tuesday allowed a 16-year-old dancer to participate in the State School Kalolsavam 2026. A 32-second power failure during her district-level performance potentially affected her evaluation. The decision underscores the judiciary’s sensitivity to equitable opportunities for young artists in India’s largest student arts festival.
The petitioner, a student from Thiruvananthapuram District, had competed in the Kuchipudi (Girls) category at the district level of the Kalolsavam. It was an annual cultural event that brought together thousands of competitors from across Kerala. Despite an otherwise strong performance, she was placed fifth by the evaluation panel. Her lawyers argued that the brief power outage cut both music and stage lighting. The outrage undermined her performance and morale, leaving her at a competitive disadvantage without an opportunity to re-perform.
High Court’s Rationale
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas of the Kerala High Court noted in his order that the power outage was an admitted fact. The dancer continued her routine “without the music or the lights,” conditions that likely impacted her confidence and the overall quality of her performance. The court underscored that such an unforeseen technical disruption might have distorted the comparative evaluation with other contestants, thereby justifying judicial intervention.
While the education department initially rejected her grievance, maintaining that the 32-second interruption “did not affect her performance”. The score sheets and recordings showed no basis for altering results. While the High Court found that denying at least a second chance to perform was unfair. The court revoked the department’s order and granted her permission to compete at the state level, scheduled from January 14 to 18 in Thrissur.
About Kerala School Kalolsavam
The Kerala School Kalolsavam is an annual cultural festival organised by the Government of Kerala and the Department of General Education. Launched in 1956, this event has evolved into one of Asia’s largest arts festivals for school students. Drawing over 14,000 participants from class 8 to class 12 across diverse disciplines such as classical and folk dance, music, theatre, literary arts, and more. Winners from district levels advance to the state finals, making each performance crucial for future opportunities and recognition.
The festival embraces Kerala’s rich cultural tapestry while offering a platform for students to showcase talent in both traditional and contemporary art forms. The 64th edition of Kalolsavam, which began on January 14 in Thrissur, often called Kerala’s cultural capital, features competitions in hundreds of categories across multiple venues.
Kuchipudi: A Classical Art Form
The dancer’s event, Kuchipudi, is a revered Indian classical dance that originated in the village of Kuchipudi in Andhra Pradesh. Recognised among the eight major Indian classical dances, Kuchipudi blends intricate footwork, expressive facial gestures, rhythmic storytelling, and narrative drama. The dance is often accompanied by Carnatic music and instruments such as the mridangam, flute, and veena. Historically rooted in the ancient Natya Shastra, this art form evolved from temple and folk dance-drama traditions into a highly structured classical discipline performed worldwide.
Although widely practiced across India, including in Kerala’s cultural festivals, Kuchipudi retains its distinct identity through its emphasis on dramatic expression and evocative storytelling, making it both technically demanding and artistically rich.
Implications of the High Court’s order
The High Court’s order reflects the judiciary’s recognition that technical glitches beyond a performer’s control should not unfairly determine competitive outcomes. The court has reinforced the principle that young artists deserve equitable platforms free from avoidable disadvantage by allowing the student to compete at the state festival despite her district ranking. The order marks stance, which is most likely to resonate with parents, educators, and cultural organisers alike.
For the 16-year-old dancer, the decision not only restores her chance to shine in the state’s premier arts showcase but also serves as a reminder of the importance of fairness and opportunity in nurturing India’s next generation of cultural ambassadors.
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