Overview

• The procession was flagged off at 4:30 p.m. at Thekke Gopura Nada by ministers and MLAs, with Mayor M. K. Varghese presiding, as tens of thousands filled the Swaraj Round.
• Tableaux blended spectacle with commentary, featuring an Avatar-inspired digital float, a glowing ‘puli-meen’ by artist Davinci Suresh, and themes on waste, addiction, child safety, and communal harmony.
• Union Minister Suresh Gopi announced Ministry of Tourism support of Rs 3 lakh each for eight teams, totaling Rs 24 lakh.
• New touches included metallic tiger masks and a noticeable rise in women performers, with an exclusive women’s team under consideration for next year.
• Vloggers documented body-painting and performances and pushed real-time clips across social platforms, widening the festival’s reach.