Tots enter world of letters

Children in the 3-5 age group turned up with their parents in temples and cultural centres to make their first step towards literacy. Writers, teachers, scientists and artists helped the children to scribble their first letter on rice-filled platters after invoking Saraswathi, the Goddess of art and learning.

In cultural centres like Thunchan Smarakam at Tirur in Malappuram, the home memorial of medieval poet Thunchath Ezhuthachan, revered as father of Malayalam literature, children wrote their initial letters on sand.

“This is a great and unique festival of learning. The ceremony opens up the universe of knowledge before children,” said writer Alamkode Leelakrishnan. Leading newspapers, academies and libraries also made arrangements for the ritual. Over hundreds of children were initiated into the world of letters at the famous Paravoor Dakshina Mookambika temple in Ernakulam district on Vidyarambam day. There was huge rush of devotees at the temple since early morning.

Several scholars, writers and priests helped children to write the auspicious letters “Hari Sree....’ in temples and at specially arranged venues during the occasion. Children were made to write the first letters with their fingers in rice-filled platters.