Kala Utsav: A Legacy

Kala Utsav, a flagship programme of the Department of School Education and Literacy (DSE&L), Ministry of Education (MoE) was launched in 2015. Kala Utsav aims to foster and showcase the artistic talent of the student of Secondary Stage. This annual event provides a platform for students to explore and celebrate arts and cultural diversity at various levels—school, district, state and national. The event is more than just a one-time activity; it initiates a comprehensive process of identifying, exploring, understanding, practicing, evolving and showcasing artistic talent of students. The participants not only perform varied art forms from their cultural traditions but also immerse in the experience, contributing to the vision of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat. Overall, Kala Utsav plays a crucial role in nurturing artistic talent, fostering cultural understanding and promoting cultural heritage of Bharat among students. The traditions also show us the creative expansion from individual to the community, which contributes towards   the overall development of the society. Further, this also helps to promote networking of artists, artisans and institutions with schools. Kala Utsav is envisaged as a fully integrated platform to mainstream students from all the sections of the society and give them a platform to showcase their talents and abilities. It provides an equal opportunity and favourable environment to nurture and showcase the talents of students in an all-inclusive set up and helps in making learning more expressive, creative and joyful. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasises on the promotion of arts and culture through education. The NEP states, “Indian culture and philosophy have had a strong influence on the world. These rich legacies to world heritage must not only be nurtured and preserved for posterity but also researched, enhanced and put to new uses through our education system” (NEP 2020, p. 4). NEP identifies this cultural understanding as a major competency required among students and suggests that art forms are the main medium for imparting this knowledge. It also points out the capacity of arts in enhancing the cognitive and creative ability of students.