The team’s name itself had a dash of colour — Rainbow. The five-member group from Areekode in Malappuram, which won the third edition of The Hindu-MetroPlus Pookkalam contest, at Sri Gujarati Vidyalaya Association Hall, Beach Road, here on Saturday, took home Rs.20,000 besides several gifts. Their floral carpet outsmarted others through simplicity, elegance and harmony of colours.
The team Hunters from Velimukku in Malappuram came second with a cash award of Rs.12,500, apart from other rewards. The team Create Visual Media from Kunnamangalam in Kozhikode district bagged the third prize, which came with a sum of Rs.7,500 and other presents.
Consolation prizes were given to 10 teams, which put up an impressive show in one of the best Pookkalam contests in terms of the number of participants (46 teams each comprising five members) in the city. All the participating teams were given Rs.750 as reimbursement for the cost of flowers.
Prize for the garbThere prize for the best traditionally dressed team was bagged by the one from MIMS led by Sharlet Simon. Nidhi of Team Rohini was adjudged as the best traditionally dressed woman and Allen John of team Varnam the best traditionally dressed man.
Artists Francis Kodamkandath and Sasi Edavarad were the members of the jury, who observed that a clear transition, from flamboyant patterns and gaudy use of colours, was evident in most of the carpets. “The participants seemed to prefer the simplicity and grace of Kerala,” said the judges.
A number of prizes were given out in different categories for the winners. A biscuit-biting competition titled Parle biscuit crunch contest was conducted for the visitors. Playback singer V.T. Murali, the chief guest of the concluding ceremony, and representatives of the sponsoring firms gave away the prizes. Mr. Murali, who said that Onam was celebration of “cultural recharging” for Malayalis every year, sang a few films songs, which he had earlier rendered for Malayalam movies.
Parle Products was the title sponsor of the event, which was powered by Vodafone. The associate sponsor was State Bank of India LHO. Gifts were sponsored by Preethi, Soulfull, Q&Q Watches and Kitchen Treasures.
