Thousands of tiny tots were initiated into the world of letters at a mega Vidyarambham function held at Thunchan Parambu, Tirur, on Friday.
Thunchan Parambu officials said that 4,273 children underwent the Ezhuthiniruthurites at the home of Thunchath Ramanujan Ezhuthachan, the patriarch of Malayalam language.
The Vidyarambham began at 4 a.m. and continued into the afternoon as parents made a beeline holding their children at the vanguard of Malayalam language to have them script ‘Harisree Ganapathaye Namah’ in rice.
Writers introduced the children to the world of letters at the Saraswathi Mandapam, and traditional acharyasdid their job at the Krishnasila Mandapam.
Serpentine queues had formed outside the Thunchan Parambu around midnight. Elaborate arrangements were done to control the crowds.
Jnanpith laureate and chairman of Thunchan Memorial Trust M.T. Vasudevan Nair led the Vidyarambham. Writers Alankode Leelakrishnan, Manamboor Rajanbabu, P.K. Gopi, K.P. Ramanunni, K.S. Venkitachalam, K.X. Anto, G.K. Rammohan and Radhamani Ayinkalam were among those who introduced the children into the world of letters at Saraswati Mandapam.
Simultaneously, traditional acharyasconducted the Ezhuthiniruthu at Krishnasila Mandapam. Both platforms witnessed a heavy rush.
About 100 poets presented their poems at an exclusive Vidyarambham for them. “In fact, it was not a poets’ meet. It was dedicating the poems at the altar of Thunchath Ezhuthachan,” said Manambur Rajanbabu.
Poet Alankode Leelakrishnan inaugurated the poets’ Vidyarambham. The poets’ Vidyarambham at Thunchan Parambu has a long tradition. Poets like Vailopilly, N.N. Kakkad and Kunjunni had presented their verses at Thunchan Parambu.