Thirunalloor Kavyolsavam-is an annual cultural festival held in Quilon district in Kerala, India to commemorate poet Thirunalloor Karunakaran(1924-2006).
It is organized from May 1 to 3 every year by Thirunalloor Smrithikendram, a memorial trust. According to the organisers , May 1, International Workers' Day is selected for commencing the festival considering the close link Thirunalloor 's poetry had with working class political movement and its philosophy.[1]
The three day- long festival is a composite cultural event of various programmes like poetry recitals, debates, painting and photo exhibitions, light and sound shows, book fairs , fim shows etc. and is meant as a converging forum for all forms of creative expressions with an underlying theme of progressive social change. It is conducted in an unconventional way avoiding a formal inauguration or valediction ceremony , and every year the festival begins with the choral recital of Thirunalloor 's famous song "May diname…"(Salute to thee May Day..) hailing the May Day.[2][3]
Some of its regular features include 'Samghageethikal'(Group songs), choral recitation of Thirunalloor 's revolutionary songs; 'Anthi Mayangumbol'(When the dusk falls) –the title taken from a famous song of Thirunalloor - where poets and musicians recite his poems; 'Janavedi'(People's Forum) where various sociopolitical and cultural topics are debated with audience participation; 'Kalippanthal'(Play shed ) a forum for children ; etc.[4]