“Culture is the widening of the mind and the spirit.” — Jawaharlal Nehru
The Kerala Piravi celebration at our school was a grand and joyous occasion, thoughtfully organized to honour the formation of Kerala on 1st November, 1956.
The event commenced with a melodious prayer song in Malayalam performed by the school choir. Mrs. Susan Oommen ,our Vice Principal extended a warm welcome to everyone present. The traditional lighting of the lamp was led by our Principal, Rev. Dr. M.O. Oommen Jr., the Vice Principal, and esteemed guests.
Rev. Ashwin Jacob Thomas ,Principal of St.Thomas School,Kulli captivated the audience with an insightful speech on Kerala’s formation, its rich cultural history, and the values of unity and resilience that define the state.
Pupils from classes IV to VI brought the stage alive with a spirited Koithupattu dance, celebrating Kerala’s harvest season and was a beautiful portrayal of traditional agrarian life. The fashion parade was one of the highlights, featuring pupils from KG to Class VII showcasing traditional Kerala costumes. The Kathakali dress, Velichappadu (oracle) attire, and Duffmuttu styles were the star attractions.The teachers performed an elegant Margamkali dance, a traditional Christian dance form unique to Kerala.
In a moving tribute, the teachers honoured Kerala’s Unsung Heroes through a powerful oneliner act. They enacted icons like:
- P.R. Sreejesh – Hockey goalkeeper who played a crucial role in securing India’s Olympic bronze medal at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.
- Dr. Palpu – A social reformer who fought for the rights of Kerala’s marginalized Ezhava community.
- Annie Mascarenhas – One of India’s early women parliamentarians, a champion for women’s rights. o Thalakkal Chandu – A Kurichya warrior who bravely resisted British colonial forces alongside Pazhassi Raja.
- Minnu Mani – A rising star in Indian women’s cricket, overcoming obstacles as a tribal athlete.
This segment was both educational and inspiring, reminding the lasting impact these figures have had on Kerala’s history.
Pupils participated enthusiastically in the Pookalam competition, crafting intricate floral designs which was held on 30th October, 2024. The panel of judges, led by Rev. Anix Johnson, Ms. Sivakala Menon and Mrs. Saramma George, awarded the First Prize to BLUE House (Nehru House) and Second Prize to YELLOW House (Teresa House).
Pupils from classes VII to IX performed Theyyam dance, depicting Kerala’s ancient ritualistic art form.
Teachers united for a soulful group song “Paranne” celebrating Kerala’s cultural pride. Male teachers energized the crowd with a lively Vanchipattu performance, reminiscent of
Kerala’s famous boat races.
Adding to the celebration, teachers prepared a delicious spread of Kerala dishes for the guests, including favourites like appam & veg. stew, idiyappam & egg curry, puttu and kadala curry, kappa & fish curry, sughyan, symbolizing Kerala’s culinary heritage and hospitality. Mrs. Shelly Chattopadhyay concluded the event by expressing heartfelt appreciation to all guests, participants, and organizers, recognizing the collaborative spirit that made the celebration a success.
Principal Rev. Dr. M.O. Oommen Jr. blessed the gathering with a benediction, urging students to uphold Kerala’s rich traditions and the event concluded on a high note with the National Anthem .The Kerala Piravi celebration was a beautiful tribute to Kerala’s cultural and historical legacy.
