Thrissur, Kerala — As the 64th Kerala State School Kalolsavam continues in Thrissur, organisers and volunteers have stepped up relief efforts to help thousands of students, teachers and visitors cope with unusually high heat and humidity at the festival venues. The annual cultural extravaganza, held across 25 different venues, attracts participants from all parts of the state and is widely regarded as one of Asia’s largest school arts festivals.
With daytime temperatures officially around 33 °C but feeling closer to 40 °C due to humidity and crowding, concerns about heat-related stress grew among attendees. In response, relief stalls have been strategically set up across all major locations to provide purified drinking water, buttermilk and refreshing lemon juice to the large crowds moving between events.
The Kalolsavam welfare committee, led by volunteers from the National School Teachers Association, reported distributing over 20,000 litres of purified water daily, stored in traditional mud pots to keep it cool. The Kerala Hotel and Restaurants Association’s stall has served a similar volume of lemon juice to participants, helping to counter the effects of dehydration. Meanwhile, the Thrissur Municipal Corporation has organised buttermilk outlets, and the Kerala Fire Service Association is providing boiled drinking water at key points.
Festival volunteers have, however, expressed concerns about challenging working conditions, pointing out the lack of shaded rest areas and long hours spent in the heat without adequate breaks. Many say that while the stalls offer vital relief to visitors, support infrastructure for volunteers themselves needs improvement, especially as the festival progresses.
Despite the heat, the spirited atmosphere of song, dance and traditional arts continues to draw enthusiastic crowds, with participants and spectators alike appreciating the efforts made to keep everyone safe and hydrated during this vibrant cultural celebration.
News as reported
