Students perform Kolkali blindfolded at school fest in solidarity with Palestine
The Kolkali venue at the 63rd Kerala School Kalolsavam in Thiruvananthapuram became a platform of resistance on Wednesday, January 8, when the students of Government Vocational Higher Secondary School Chirakkara (GVHSS) in Kannur performed Kolkali to the song "Vazhka Palestine" (Live long Palestine). They performed blindfolded in a show of solidarity with Palestine and as a mark of protest against the wars causing suffering to many. “Those who hold power and can intervene in the war in Gaza have not opened their eyes to that. So, we decided to blindfold ourselves in protest and extend solidarity to Palestine. The ultimate aim was to give a message against war,” says Muhammad Rabin, one of the trainers of the group. Rabin has been training Kolkali performers for 14 years now.The GVHSS Chirakkara group performed for a duration of 10 minutes, of which they remained blindfolded for the initial six minutes. In addition to the traditional songs, the trainers included an additional song that emphasised the issues in Palestine. While speaking with the media, the students expressed their happiness at being able to send a message through their performance. This folk art form has a history of about 200 years, and is performed mostly in the north Malabar region of Kerala. Each performer holds a stick and moves in a circle, striking the sticks, and keeping rhythm to the accompanying music. As the music gradually rises in pitch, the pace increases till the performance reaches its climax. This art form is now a popular item in school youth festivals. Kerala students perform Kolkali blindfolded to extend solidarity to Palestine at the 63rd Kerala School Kalolsavam. pic.twitter.com/4ckCOvPXbK— Haritha Manav (@HarithaMaanav) January 9, 2025 The intense preparationThe essence of Kolkali lies in the rhythm created by the sticks. Therefore, timing is crucial here, and performing it with a blindfold adds to the challenge. “We assessed the capabilities of the students and then decided that they could perform it,” says Rabin. The students were initially concerned about whether it was going to affect their grades in the competition, but eventually everyone agreed to do it. According to Rabin, the teachers at the school were very supportive, their only concern being the safety of the students,” says Rabin. As a first step, after learning the steps, the students began practising in dark rooms. Initially, they faced difficulties and would hit each other accidentally. Gradually, they improved, securing an A grade at the youth festival. Since the past few years, the government has dropped the practice of declaring ranks, but announces only the grades of the performers.The performance was hugely appreciated by the audience as well as people on social media, even though there are a few negative comments. “We expected lots of negative comments and maybe disqualification because performing Kolkali with blindfolds is not common. But everyone accepted it and supported us,” says RabinHe adds, “As artists, we have social responsibilities. It is equally important to make the younger generation aware of the things happening in the world and tell them about their social responsibility to raise their voices for those in need,” Rabin adds.Students practising Kolkali. The students who were part of the group include Shafin, Mishab, Milhan, Mazin, Shaaz, Rahid, Najal, Rashdhan, Hadii, Miras, Sinan, and Ahban. The trainers are Abbas Gurkkal and Muhammad Rabin Vatakara from the Al Mubarack Kolkali group. The 63rd Kerala State School Youth Festival concluded on Wednesday, January 8. Thrissur district came first with 1,008 points. Palakkad and Kannur districts secured second and third positions, with 1,007 and 1,003 points respectively.
THE Kolkali venue at the 63rd Kerala School Kalolsavam in Thiruvananthapuram became a platform of resistance on Wednesday, January 8, when the students of Government Vocational Higher Secondary School Chirakkara (GVHSS) in Kannur performed Kolkali to the song "Vazhka Palestine" (Live long Palestine).
They performed blindfolded in a show of solidarity with Palestine and as a mark of protest against the wars causing suffering to many.
“Those who hold power and can intervene in the war in Gaza have not opened their eyes to that. So, we decided to blindfold ourselves in protest and extend solidarity to Palestine. The ultimate aim was to give a message against war,” says Muhammad Rabin, one of the group's trainers. Rabin has been training Kolkali performers for 14 years now.
The GVHSS Chirakkara group performed for a duration of 10 minutes, of which they remained blindfolded for the initial six minutes. In addition to the traditional songs, the trainers included an additional song that emphasised the issues in Palestine. While speaking with the media, the students expressed their happiness at being able to send a message through their performance.
This folk art form has a history of about 200 years, and is performed mostly in the north Malabar region of Kerala. Each performer holds a stick and moves in a circle, striking the sticks, and keeping rhythm to the accompanying music. As the music gradually rises in pitch, the pace increases till the performance reaches its climax. This art form is now a popular item in school youth festivals.
Kerala students perform Kolkali blindfolded to extend solidarity to Palestine at the 63rd Kerala School Kalolsavam. pic.twitter.com/4ckCOvPXbK
— Haritha Manav (@HarithaMaanav) January 9, 2025
The intense preparation
The essence of Kolkali lies in the rhythm created by the sticks. Therefore, timing is crucial here, and performing it blindfold adds to the challenge. “We assessed the capabilities of the students and then decided that they could perform it,” says Rabin. The students were initially concerned about whether it was going to affect their grades in the competition, but eventually everyone agreed to do it. According to Rabin, the teachers at the school were very supportive, their only concern being the safety of the students,” says Rabin.
As a first step, after learning the steps, the students began practising in dark rooms. Initially, they faced difficulties and would hit each other accidentally. Gradually, they improved, securing an A grade at the youth festival. Since the past few years, the government has dropped the practice of declaring ranks, but announces only the grades of the performers.
The performance was hugely appreciated by the audience as well as people on social media, even though there are a few negative comments. “We expected lots of negative comments and maybe disqualification because performing Kolkali with blindfolds is not common. But everyone accepted it and supported us,” says Rabin
He adds, “As artists, we have social responsibilities. It is equally important to make the younger generation aware of the things happening in the world and tell them about their social responsibility to raise their voices for those in need,” Rabin adds.
The students who were part of the group include Shafin, Mishab, Milhan, Mazin, Shaaz, Rahid, Najal, Rashdhan, Hadii, Miras, Sinan, and Ahban. The trainers are Abbas Gurkkal and Muhammad Rabin Vatakara from the Al Mubarack Kolkali group.
The 63rd Kerala State School Youth Festival concluded on Wednesday, January 8. Thrissur district came first with 1,008 points. Palakkad and Kannur districts secured second and third positions, with 1,007 and 1,003 points respectively.
