Kronos, now a widely recognized cultural extravaganza, had its humble beginnings as Ananya, an inter-school event launched by the visionary former principal of St. Paul’s High School, Rev Fr. Gerald Furtado SJ, in 2009. A pioneer in the realm of inter-school events in Belagavi, Ananya paved the way for what would later evolve into the spectacular spectacle we know today as Kronos.
Originally named Ananya, the festival took a brief hiatus after its inaugural year in 2009. However, the dynamic leadership of St. Paul’s High School’s cabinet members, after nearly three years, decided to breathe new life into the fest with a revamped version. The task at hand was to christen the event with a fitting name. After extensive research, meticulous paperwork, and thorough consultations, Kronos emerged as the chosen moniker. Thus, in 2012, Kronos, the inter-school literary and cultural fest, was reborn under the guidance of the then School Pupil Leader, Master Pranav Adhyapak, and Assistant School Pupil Leader, Master Anush Porwal, directed by the distinguished former principal and current provincial of the Jesuits of Goa Province, Rev Fr. Dr. Roland Coelho SJ—an alumnus of 1987. The baton was later passed to Sir Savio Martin, an alumnus of 2007 and a current staff member.
Drawing inspiration from Greek mythology, Kronos, the God of Gods, symbolizes the ultimate supreme power—the ultimate winner. In Greek mythology, Kronos, a Titan and the son of Uranus (sky) and Gaea (earth), once ruled the world until his son Zeus dethroned him.
Organizing an event of such magnitude was no easy feat, especially considering the challenges of a nascent era of digitization, financial constraints, and the novelty of event organization for the school’s cabinet students.
Fast forward to today, and St. Paul’s High School takes pride in successfully hosting eight editions of Kronos, with the ninth edition on the horizon. Each year, Kronos introduces diverse themes that not only cultivate an appreciation for Indian culture among the youth but also foster an embrace of India’s rich heritage. This year’s theme explores the cosmos, encouraging participants to stretch their imaginations and apply their logical skills in various aspects of life.
Preparations for Kronos begin approximately six months in advance, demanding substantial efforts, manpower, and unwavering support and guidance from the school staff and management. From its inaugural year with 26 participating schools in 2013, Kronos has grown to host over 30 schools from Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Goa. The event has become a symbol of Paulites’ excellence, proving that the students of St. Paul’s High School can successfully organize a monumental event that surpasses expectations.
With the resounding success of Kronos in 2013, the festival became an annual tradition, eagerly anticipated by every school in Belagavi. Participating schools consider it a matter of pride to be invited to partake in this grand inter-school literary and cultural fest.