Thrissur, Jan 18 (NationPress) The renowned Malayalam film icon Mohanlal will grace the grand finale as the chief guest of the 64th State School Arts Festival in Kerala's Thrissur this Sunday, bringing a touch of celebrity charm to the closing festivities of the state's largest cultural event dedicated to students.

The valedictory event is set to commence at 4 p.m., with the inauguration led by V. D. Satheesan, the Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly.

This year’s festival, hosted in Thrissur, will wrap up after a series of vibrant performances, fierce competition, and extensive public engagement.

As the festival nears its conclusion, only eight competitions remain, paving the way for an exciting finish in the battle for the esteemed Golden Cup.

The competition has been intense, as highlighted by the points table. Currently, Kannur leads with 990 points.

Host district Thrissur is trailing closely in second place with 983 points, keeping the hope for a last-minute victory alive.

Palakkad sits in third with 982 points, while Kozhikode, which previously held second place, has fallen to fourth with 981 points.

With just a few points differentiating the top four districts, every performance left is deemed crucial. Schools are engaged in fierce competition for each point, as the judging of the final events could drastically change the standings.

Officials and observers of the festival anticipate that the ultimate winner may only be revealed in the last moments of the competition.

While northern districts aim to uphold their supremacy at the State School Arts Festival, districts from central and southern Kerala are making vigorous attempts to mount a strong comeback, heightening the excitement on the final day.

In a touching moment, students from Vellarmala School in Wayanad, who have been recovering from the impacts of a devastating landslide in their area, participated in the Vanchippattu (boat song) competition on Saturday.

Their performance received widespread acclaim and served as a powerful emblem of resilience. As the concluding events unfold and the closing ceremony draws nearer, anticipation is palpable throughout Kerala, with students, teachers, and parents eagerly awaiting the declaration of this year’s champions.