Kudumbashree's State Arts Festival 'Arangu 2025' has been kickstarted at Athirampuzha of Kottayam district. V. N. Vasavan, Minister for Co-operation, Ports, and Devaswoms, Government of Kerala inaugurated the festival at St. Mary's Parish hall, Athirampuzha, Kottayam.
The Minister said that Arangu is the most sought out arts festival other than the state youth festival due to the participation, quality of the programmes and the excellence of administration. Through Arangu, women who were unable to participate in such events during college days got the opportunity to showcase their inherent talents. And that's why the participation of women increases as the years pass by. He added.
No one can resist the social scourge of drug addiction like women. We can develop a high level of socio-cultural understanding. Art or literature is the best way to convince the common people of that. This art festival is coming in a form that can create a rich socio-cultural understanding by organizing festivals and at the same time ensure mental refreshment for the members. Even the old people have been able to show their talents here. The minister said.
Kudumbashree is approved as the largest women's organization in the world. Kudumbashree's activities, which have been going on for a quarter of a century, have brought about a change in women in our state, and the progress it has made in the general community. Kudumbashree was able to bring women from the kitchens to the stage. When Kudumbashree members have reached a point where they can come from the kitchen to the stage in every sense and utilize the diverse capacities inherent in them for the benefit of society, they have their own income, they have their own homes, they have their own enterprises, and they are able to protect others. In this way, its successful journey of victory continues steady by bringing about economic, social and cultural upliftment of women. The Minister added.
Dr. N Jayaraj, MLA, Chief Whip, Government of Kerala, presided over the function. He said that Arangu is the link to change. The Arts festival is organized by Kudumbashree Mission in association with the Local Self Government Department. The three day Art Festival will take place at the 14 venues and 3500 Kudumbashree members will participate in the Arangu State Arts Festival. The competitions are held in two categories viz., NHG Category and Auxiliary Group Category. The Art Festival is an opportunity for the women to present their artistic talents before the society.
H Dineshan, Executive Director, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering and Abhilash K. Diwakar, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kottayam District Mission extended vote of Thanks. Adv Mons Joseph, Kaduthuruthy Constituency, C.K Asha, MLA, Vaikom Constituency, Adv Job Michael, MLA, Changanassery Constituency, Hemalatha Premsagar, President, District Panchayath, Kottayam, John V Samuel IAS, District Collector, Kottayam, Arya Rajan, President, Block Panchayat, Ettumanoor, Haimy Boby, Chairperson, PWD, Mukesh K Mani, Secretary, Block Panchayat President Association, Prof. Rosamma Sony, Divisional Member, District Panchayat, K. V Bindu, Divisional Member, District Panchayat, Jose Joseph Ambalakkulam, President, Athirampuzha Panchayat, V. K Pradeep, President, Neendoor Panchayat, Ancy vargheese, Member, Ettumanoor Block Panchayat, Shyam Kumar K.U, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree, Rev. Father Joseph Mundakathil, St Mary's Forane Church, Athirampuzha, also attended the programme.
There are 49 competitions (33 stage items and 16 non-stage items) in various items such as Sinkarimelam, Drama, Stamping Drama, Thiruvathira, Oppana, Margamkali, Skit, Mime, Lyrical Narrative (Kadha Prasangam), Group Song, Group Dance, Folk Song, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mono Act, Mohiniyattam, Mimicry, Light Music, Kerala Nadanam, Fancy Dress, Recitation (Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi, English, Arabic), Elocution, Story Writing (Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi, English, Arabic) Poem Writing (Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi, English, Arabic), Painting (Water Colour, pencil Collage, Cartoon), Folk Dance, Mapilappatt, Flute, Violin, Tabla, Jazz etc.
There are 14 venues viz., Venue 1- 'Aa'- St Mary's Parish Hall, Venue 2- 'Ee'- St. Aloysius High School, Venue 3- 'Ru'- AC Parish Hall, Venue 4- 'Sa'- Vishwamatha Auditorium, Venue 5- 'Ra'- St. Aloysius L P School, Venue 6- 'Zha'- St. Mary's Girls UP School, Venue 7- 'Ya'- ClassRoom, St. Aloysius High School, Venue 8- 'Rra' -ClassRoom, St. Aloysius High School, Venue 9- Ga'-ClassRoom, St. Aloysius High School, Venue 10- A -ClassRoom, St. Aloysius High School, Venue 11- 'Dha' -ClassRoom, St. Aloysius High School, Venue 12- 'Ha' -ClassRoom, St. Aloysius High School, Venue 13- 'La'-ClassRoom, St. Aloysius High School, Venue 14- 'O' -ClassRoom, St. Aloysius High School.