 |
| Mallikarjun Kani, Aranakuzhi, Kallar, Vithura, Thiruvananthapuram |
|
Download Database of featured talents. (Excel file) talents. (Excel file, |
Son of master archer Aruviyan Kani, Mallikarjun started the school 7 years ago. Today more than 40 persons, including women, attend his School, where the training is from 5pm to 6pm during week days and from 2pm onwards during weekends. Competitions are also held as part of the training. 40-year-old Mallikarjun has dedicated himself to archery and remains a bachelor. A council of senior adivasis has been formed to advise the school.
The school is held in the small ground prepared by the adivasis. Although the school is in existence since many years, he hasn’t been able to even register it for lack of funds. Many approaches to Scheduled Tribe Development Department and KIRTARDS did not yield expected results.
The bow is made of special bamboo found in the foothills of Agasthya Mountain. Nylon thread or creeper from the forest is used as the string and arecanut stem is used in the making of arrows. But Mallikarjun dreams of his students competing in modern meets with fiber glass bows.
In the archery competition conducted by KIRTARDS, Ekalavya school puts up creditable performance every year. Perhaps with the availability of resources, Mallikarjun’s dream of victory in modern competition could be achieved.
Courtesy: Mathrubhumi, June 13, 2005
Contributed by: Administrator
