Students of National Higher Secondary School, Kolathur perfrom the play Eravi in the HSS category at the State School Arts Festival, at the Chaldean Syrian Higher Secondary School on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: K.K. NAJEEB

The Drama competition in the HSS category at the State School Arts Festival, held at the Chaldean Syrian Higher Secondary School here on Saturday, featured performances bold in vision and rich in energy.

The striking opening play Eravi, staged by National HSS, Kolathur, was set against a tribal backdrop and told the story of a tribal queen who rose against invading forces. Refusing to bow before oppression, Queen Eravi leads her people into resistance.

“It is a play against fascist forces,” S. Neelambari, one of the team members, said. The synchronised movements, intense performances, and gripping stage language reflected months of disciplined preparation.

Equally compelling was Pokku by St. Mary’s HSS, Edoor. It was a layered narrative on migration and generational change. Blending humour with seriousness in a contemporary theatrical idiom, the play lingered as a thoughtful reminder of journeys and no return. Folk-flavoured Malayalam film songs flowed seamlessly into scenes, while Class XII student Anna Rose Denny stood out as a spirited mother.

Model Residential School (MRS), Vadasserikkara, brought to stage the anguish of tribal communities displaced from their land, resources, and traditions. Other important themes included religious fascism, issues of immigrants, and attack on minorities. Each play unfolded before a full house, underscoring the growing appeal of school theatre.

Yet, backstage conversations echoed a concern: that escalating production costs limit participation to financially stronger schools. Many called for encouraging meaningful theatre with minimal props and modest budgets, ensuring the stage remains open to all and not just to those who can afford it.

Published – January 17, 2026 09:13 pm IST