The Spice
Coast in the far north of Kerala, better known as North Malabar, is basking in
myriad colours and the pomp and splendour of the 10-day cultural extravaganza ‘Bekal
International Beach Festival’ that kicked off at the majestic Bekal Beach Park on December 24.
The shores of
the Arabian sea that hugs the magnificent citadel, the serene lagoon, swaying
palms, and the treetops that dance and oscillate in the breeze and the
spread-out velvety sand endear Bekal to tourists from far and wide and the
festival comes as an icing on the splendid experience that the Bekal Fort and
Beach offers to tourists.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated
the first international beach festival that captures the wholeness and the essence
of the district’s cultural and artistic uniqueness and displays the rich
cultural diversity and grandeur of the country, at Bekal Beach Park on December
24. Around five lakh people from across the globe are set to revel in the
festival that is staged at the three venues of Chandragiri, Thejaswini, and
Payaswini.
The festival
which also aims at revitalizing the district’s development by showcasing its
potential, offers a feast of cultural and musical nights, along with food
festivals that capture the cuisine of Kasargod, exhibitions, and tour programs.
Beach sports, which is staged on foreign shores, is the prime attraction of the
fest. Tourists from different parts of the world, especially from the Arab world,
are expected to swarm and relish the event.
A host of
famed artists including the likes of Nooran Sisters, Sithara Krishnakumar,
Vidhu Prathap, Shabnam Riyaz, Mohammed Aslam, Praseetha Chalakkudy, Mattannur
Sankarankutty Marar, and Stephen Devassy among others perform on the festival
days, daily from 7.30 pm.
The other
events being staged on various days include helicopter ride, robotic show, kite
fest, flower show, sand art, water sports, bridal fashion contest, beauty
cutie-kids fashion show, national business trade expo, B2C FLEA Market, edu
expo, automobile expo, and an aqua show.
The Bekal International Beach festival is
organized by the Bekal Resorts Development Corporation (BRDC) in association
with the District Tourism Promotion Council, Kudumbashree, Asmi Holidays, and
the local self-government bodies in the district.
