Students from GVHSS Chirakkara in Kannur district performed the martial arts-influenced folk dance Kolkali blindfolded at the 63rd Kerala School Kalolsavam, expressing solidarity with the struggles of Palestine. The performance, which demands exceptional coordination and precise choreography, earned an A grade at the school arts festival that concluded Wednesday.
The students said the performance is also in solidarity with people of Ukraine.
“We collectively decided to raise our voices against injustice,” said Shafin, the leader of the Kolkali team. The audience applauded the unique performance, which used the Malayalam version of “Leve Palestina,” a 1978 protest song by Swedish-Palestinian band Kofia, as its soundtrack.
The team consisted of Shafin, Mishab, Milhan, Mazin, Shaaz, Rahid, Najal, Rashdhan, Hadii, Miras, Sinan, and Ahban. Their blindfolded Kolkali performance, a Mappila folk dance traditionally performed with sticks, stood out for its message of solidarity and its action-packed movements.
This edition of Kalolsavam saw many performance in solidarity with Palestinian people who currently face a genocide. The performance got huge reception from people, with many sharing the video of the performance of social media.
The students expressed pride in their achievement.
“Two weeks ago, our trainer, Rabin Muhammed, proposed the idea of performing Kolkali in solidarity with Palestine,” Shafin said. “Initially, only a few of us agreed, as others were concerned about how the judges and audience would react and how it might affect our scores. But with the support of our teachers and friends, we decided to take the risk.”
“We are truly happy to have delivered this message on such a grand stage,” he added.
Trainer Rabin Muhammed emphasized the significance of using the State Youth Festival, Asia’s largest, as a platform for meaningful statements.
“This is not just about performing on stage. It’s about sending a message that we, as a collective, support justice,” Muhammed said. “The tragedy of lives lost should inspire us to act with compassion and responsibility. Through this performance, we hope to instill a sense of social responsibility and humanity among the youth, urging them to rise above indifference.”
