Installations from state departments shine at Ente Keralam expo in Thiruvananthapuram

Ente Keralam exhibition at Kanakakkunnu palace | Photo Credit: Nainu Oommen

Inside a giant red and orange tent with dark blue doors resembling a prison but stripped off its sombre tones, there are multiple partitions with the model of the Central Prison and Correctional Home in Thiruvananthapuram placed at the centre. The cyan walls are filled with details about prisons and punishments from around the world. Replicas of cells where once Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and revolutionary Communist leader AK Gopalan were imprisoned are among the exhibits put up by the Kerala Prisons and Correctional Services at the Ente Keralam exhibition. The expo, currently on at Kanakakunnu premises in Thiruvananthapuram, is part of the fourth anniversary celebrations of the ruling Left Democratic Front government.

On the far left corner of the tent is a section titled Gallows, with working model of a gallows and two dummy convicts set on it. One of the officers explains how capital punishment is carried out in the country and even demonstrates it using the replicas, evoking emotions of shock and awe among the visitors. Still models describing how prisoners communicate with visitors and the outside world, procedures of a video conference court, a condemned cell for prisoners awaiting their death sentence etc are showcased too. Visitors can also watch a 10-minute performance of Mathilukal, famous love story by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer.

At the expo, spread across 75,000 sq ft, public can walk through around 250 stalls put up by different departments under the State government, such General Education, Women and Child Development, Tourism, Food Safety etc.

“The exhibits are enjoyable and informative. You can also have delicious food served by Kudumbashree,” says Sarath SB, one of the visitors.

An installation by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) provides an informative virtual tour of the Idukki dam using a VR headset. The tour describes the architecture of the dam and the processes involved in generating electricity. KSEB is also organising an online quiz for the public.

Kerala State Film Development Corporation is screening classic Malayalam movies including Oppol (1981), Chemmeen (1965), Kummatty (1979) etc at the venue.

An area specifically dedicated to Kerala Fire and Rescue Services has rescue exercises for visitors to try. A Burma bridge, constructed at the venue, which is used by safety workers in real-life situations, has been attracting children. They wear helmets and safety harness while doing these rope drills. The objective is to educate people to not panic if they ever have to pass through a rope bridge.

The expo has showcased traditional crafts as well. Anil Kumar, a potter from Neyattinkara attending the event, says, “My aim is to help the current generation understand my craft and encourage people who want to do it.”

For students

An overrunning theme of substance abuse awareness among students is visible across exhibits by different departments. The stall by Kerala Excise has a boxing arcade machine and an archery game with a message to say no to drugs.

The projects exhibited by school students range from robots to machines separating dry and wet garbage. Agnivesh K, a class IX student of Government Model Higher Secondary School, Varkala, with the help of his teammates, has presented a replica of Newton’s cradle and a few other exhibits explaining reflection of light and so on. “We were encouraged by our teachers to come here. This was our first exhibition, and we will participate in more such events in the future,” says Agnivesh.

Food fete

The food stalls serve dishes from different parts of the State. Kudumbashree units, for example, are serving dishes such as Vanasundari chicken, kappa and fish curry, paal kappa and beef roast, among others. Eats such as chapathi, idiyappam, puri, chicken chaps, chicken fry and so on prepared by the food production unit of Central Prison are also available.

Cultural events are also organised at the Nishagandhi auditorium till May 22.

The expo is on at the Kanakakkunnu palace premises till May 23. Time: from 10 am to 9 pm. Entry free.

Published - May 21, 2025 10:48 am IST