Thiruvananthapuram | An over eight-decade-old Malayalam patriotic song, which had been declared as the cultural song of Kerala by the state government, was sung as the opening song during the programme attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Tuesday.

This is perhaps for the first time that "Keralaganam", penned by freedom fighter-poet Bodheswaran in 1938, was rendered as the opening song in a major event, attended by a VVIP, despite the state government directive in this regard last year. A group of singers recited the insightful poem in their mellifluous voice marking the beginning of the function at the Central Stadium, where the PM launched several major projects including the official inauguration of Vande Bharat express train.

The 25-line poem beginning with "Jaya Jaya Komala Kerala Dharani" was declared as the cultural song of Kerala in 2014 but was usually never sung at any cultural events.

State Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cheriyan, in July 2022, had announced that the poem would be sung as the opening song of all cultural events to be organised in the southern state.

"Keralaganam" was sung at the first meeting of the Kerala Legislative Assembly after the formation of the state. Then it was sung by All India Radio artistes Saradamani and Radhamani, known as Paravoor sisters.