On Sunday, boys competing in the Higher Secondary Folk Dance event at the State School Arts Festival turned the stage into a space of resistance. Their performances highlighted subaltern struggles with bold storytelling and striking costumes. One standout act was by M.R. Devasurya, a Class XI student from GHSS Cheemeni. He portrayed Kuyili, a brave commander of Rani Velu Nachiyar's army, known as India’s first suicide warrior. The performance showed Kuyili’s fiery sacrifice as she set herself on fire to destroy the British armoury during colonial times. Devasurya’s choreography asked why this sacrifice is often forgotten in history. He received an A grade. Abhishek Anilkumar from St. Joseph’s HSS, Pavaratty, delivered a powerful dance based on the story Kiratham. His stage presence impressed judges and the audience alike, earning him his third consecutive A grade in Folk Dance. He studies commerce in Plus Two. Krishnaraj from KKM HSS, Alathiyur, Malappuram, also got an A for the third year in a row. His dance expressed the pain of land title struggles through controlled, intense movements. Other dancers addressed the realities of transgender communities, feudal exploitation, and discrimination, expanding the emotional and political scope of the event. The festival showcased not just dance but also daring stories of resistance and social issues, making it a memorable event.