Thrissur, 18 Jan (H.S.):

Malayalam cinema legend Mohanlal will be the chief guest at the grand finale of the 64th State School Arts Festival, which concludes today in Thrissur. The valedictory ceremony, scheduled for 4 pm, will be inaugurated by Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan, marking the formal close of Kerala’s biggest student cultural festival.

Hosted this year in Thrissur, the festival has witnessed days of vibrant performances, packed venues, and intense competition among districts. As the event enters its final hours, only eight competitions remain, setting the stage for a dramatic finish in the race for the coveted Golden Cup.

The points table reflects an exceptionally close contest. Kannur is currently leading with 990 points. The host district Thrissur is close behind in second place with 983 points, keeping hopes alive for a last-minute turnaround. Palakkad follows narrowly in third position with 982 points, while Kozhikode, which had earlier held second place, has slipped to fourth with 981 points.

With only a few points separating the top contenders, every performance in the remaining events is expected to be decisive. Schools are competing fiercely for each mark, and festival observers say the final rankings may only be confirmed in the last moments of competition.

Beyond the intense points battle, the festival has also showcased stories of courage and resilience. Students from the Vellarmala School in Wayanad—who survived a devastating landslide in their region—moved audiences when they participated in the Vanchippattu competition yesterday, drawing widespread appreciation.

As the festival draws to a close today, anticipation is running high across Kerala, with the final outcome expected to hinge on a thrilling last-lap contest.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman