The Kerala State School Arts Festival is heating up as Kannur takes the lead on day three with 709 points. Kozhikode, the 2023 Gold Cup winner and festival favorite, is close behind with 693 points. Thrissur and Palakkad both have 691 points, keeping the race tight. Thiruvananthapuram, a former champion last winning in 1989, stands fifth with 673 points. The competition to claim the Gold Cup, awarded to the district with the highest points, is fierce and could change with two days to go. Crowd favorites like Folk Song and Folk Dance drew packed audiences, especially at the Kerala Bank Auditorium and MTHSS auditorium. The festival also saw standout performances in Mono Act, Parichamuttukali, and tribal dances. While girls’ Kuchipudi dancing remains popular, the HSS girls’ competition this year was less impressive overall, despite some strong acts. The festival continues to celebrate diverse arts with full enthusiasm.