The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Quick-witted teams conjure up heavenly pookkalams

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Sunday, Aug 26, 2007
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Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Quick-witted teams conjure up heavenly pookkalams

R.K. Roshni and K.A. Martin

Photos: Vipinchandran, C. Ratheeshkumar (Photo gallery: www.thehindu.com)

Where every petal counted:Healthy competition, the whiff and myriad hues of flowers and the earnestness of the participants in spreading the Onam spirit marked the keenly fought The Hindu-MetroPlus Pookkalam Contest 2007 in Kochi on Saturday. The flower carpet which won the first prize in Kochi is at top, left and the one that won the first prize in Thiruvananthapuram is at bottom. —

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It was a riot of colours at The Hindu-MetroPlus Pookkalam Contest 2007 held at the Government Women’s College auditorium in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday.

One of the most enduring symbols of Onam, the pookkalam took centre stage in what was a test of the participants’ creativity, team work and quick-thinking.

Forty-eight teams took part in the contest. The first prize of Rs.20,000 was bagged by the team from the State Bank of India zonal office, led by Padmakumar. With fewer varieties of flowers than it would have liked, the team had only past experiences to draw upon. This stood the team in good stead. “We expected a consolation prize, but the first prize came as a surprise,” Mr. Padmakumar said.

The team from Railway Institute, Poojappura, led by Rajan, bagged the second prize of Rs.12,500. The team kept their pookkalam simple and neat. Perfection was what they aimed at and it brought them success. The third prize of Rs.7,500 was bagged by the team from State Bank of Travancore main branch, led by Renuka S. Ten consolation prizes of Rs.1,500 each were given, besides gift vouchers for Rs.2,750 for all teams.

The prizes were given away by Chandra Lakshman, film and TV actor.

The pookkalams were judged by a jury led by artist B.D. Dethan and comprising artists K.C. Chitrabhanu and K. Sreelal.

In his address, Dethan said that traditions observed in making of pookkalams should be followed. The stress was on simplicity, finesse and colour scheme.

Tight contest

In Kochi, the contest was held at Assisi Vidyaniketan Public School, Chembumukku. Finesse of design and skills in the use of flowers and their hues to convey the spirit of Onam won the team from Thripunithura, led by A.K. Vinod, the first prize and a cheque for Rs. 20,000.

The second prize went to a team from Irinjalakuda, led by I.S. Manoj, and the third prize to the Bharat Petroleum Club team, led by K.A. Pius.

It was a few tense moments before the judges, led by C. N. Karunakaran, announced the results. The veteran artist conveyed the feelings of the other judges, T. Kaladharan and Jalaja, when he said it was a difficult but satisfying task. He said the pookkalams were of excellent quality and finish, and the judges found it hard to pick the winners from among the 43 contestants.

Mr. Vinod and Biju, of the first-prize-winning team, were thrilled with the result of their efforts.

Tata Sky was the title sponsor of the contest.

The associate sponsors were Amul and Sprinkle Salt. IFB was the prize sponsor. Bond Street Perfumes India Pvt. Ltd. and Shree Devi Textiles were the gift sponsors. Bru was the beverage partner and Akbar Travels the travel partner.

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