Kerala   

Enchanting all the way

A novel experience it turned out to be. The pageant that added colour to the launch function of the State Sports Super Bumper lottery at the Central Stadium in the capital on Friday was a perfect mix of artistic elegance and sophistication.

Conceived with imagination and executed with precision, the 70-minute programme, enacted by the students of Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education (LNCPE), Kariyavattom, CRPF jawans and kalaripayyattu artistes, quite appropriately had its focus on elements that highlighted the rich tradition of Kerala's sporting excellence befitting the historic occasion. Particularly, as the day marked Kerala notching up yet another first by the launch of a lottery and plans in place to devote the entire proceeds from it for the overall development of sports and games in the State.

Quite striking among the many items that were displayed was the aerobic dance performed by the team from LNCPE. Also impressive was the exhibition, including fundamentals of soccer, put on show by the students of the same college.

If both these pieces portrayed precision as the key element even as the students danced to the tune of lilting music, the karate and motorcycle displays put up by the CRPF jawans drew fulsome praise for its dare devilry and neat execution. There was anxiety writ large on many faces as two CRPF jawans riding on a motorcycle approached from the far end of the stadium and effortlessly rode over a platform underneath which one of their colleagues lay prone on top of a rubble of broken glass pieces.

Also to draw appreciation was the display of karalripayattu, the traditional martial art form of Kerala, using weapons such as the short dagger and the sword. Also pleasing to the eye was the mass drill put on show by yet another contingent of the CRPF, forming figures of a flower turning into full blossom.

Indeed, it was an enchanting affair all the way and undoubtedly a great evening to remember even if the whole show did see only a sparse public turnout.

A. Vinod

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