Kozhikode, Saturday 09 January 2009: The Kerala School Kalolsavam, which has turned a remarkable 50, opens at Mananchira Square here today. Nearly 9,000 students from across the State will compete in a mind-bogging array of art forms over the next seven nights and days.

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan will inaugurate the 50th edition of the festival at 5 p.m. and about an hour later, Mohiniyattam dancers will step on to the stage at Mananchira Square; the competitions will thus begin for the Gold Cup, awarded to the district that scores the highest number of points.

Mananchira Square: Inaugural session, 5 p.m.; Mohiniyattom (High School), 6 p.m.

Malabar Christian College (West side of ground): Keralanadanam (Higher Secondary School), 6 p.m.

Malabar Christian College (East side of ground): Deshabhakthiganam (HS), 6 p.m.; Deshabhakthiganam (HS), 8 p.m.

Town Hall: Mookaabhinayam (HSS), 6 p.m.

St. Joseph’s HSS: Odakuzhal (HS), 6 p.m.; Odakuzhal (HSS), 8 p.m.

Anglo-Indian HSS: Veena (HSS), 6 p.m.; Veena (HS), 8 p.m.