Kala Utsav: A Legacy

Launched in 2015, Kala Utsav is a unique programme of the Department of School Education and Literacy (DSE&L), Ministry of Education (MoE), designed to foster and showcase the artistic talent of secondary-stage students. This annual celebration provides a platform for students to explore and celebrate the arts and the rich cultural diversity of India at multiple levels - school, district, state, and national. More than a one-time event, it is a comprehensive process of identifying, exploring, understanding, practicing, evolving, and presenting artistic abilities. Participants not only perform varied art forms from their cultural traditions but also immerse themselves in the creative process, contributing to the vision of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat. By nurturing artistic talent, fostering cultural understanding, and promoting India’s heritage, Kala Utsav inspires creativity that grows from the individual to the community, contributing to the overall development of society. It also promotes networking between artists, artisans, institutions, and schools, building a vibrant cultural ecosystem. Envisaged as a fully integrated platform, Kala Utsav mainstreams students from all sections of society, providing equal opportunities and an inclusive environment that makes learning more expressive, creative, and joyful. This vision aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises the promotion of arts and culture through education, stating:

“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)

In its 10th edition in 2024, Kala Utsav was reimagined in line with the NEP 2020 vision of holistic, integrated, and joyful learning. A new component, Samriddhi, was introduced for non-art secondary school teachers to promote art-integrated teaching across subjects, fostering creative pedagogical practices. Samriddhi is conducted annually at the school, district, state, and national levels as part of Kala Utsav. Another initiative, Pratibha Samvardhan, a 10-day residential nurturance-enrichment programme for the winners of Kala Utsav was also introduced this year. First implemented for the 2023 and 2024 winners at the National Bal Bhavan, New Delhi, it will now be organised every year to nurture the artistic talents of Kala Utsav winners through workshops, expert interactions, performances, and cultural site visits. The programme also actively involves teachers to ensure holistic, art-integrated learning and sustained mentorship.

The 10th edition of Kala Utsav concluded with these initiatives, reaffirming its role as a dynamic platform that not only celebrates art and culture but also integrates them into school education. In the upcoming editions, Kala Utsav strives to continue to enhance students’ cognitive and creative abilities while preserving and promoting India’s cultural legacy for generations to come.

About Samriddhi

Samriddhi is a pioneering initiative of the Ministry of Education, Government of India, conceptualized as an extension of Kala Utsav, the flagship cultural programme launched in 2015 by DoSEL, MoE and NCERT. While Kala Utsav celebrates the artistic brilliance of secondary students across the country, Samriddhi has been specially designed to recognize and encourage teachers who integrate arts into classroom pedagogy in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023.
Education is not only about the transfer of knowledge but also about nurturing creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking. NEP 2020 emphasizes art-integrated learning, toy-based pedagogy, and music and movement in education, placing joy at the heart of the learning process. Samriddhi embodies this vision by providing a national platform for teachers to showcase innovative Art Integrated Pedagogical practices that enrich classroom teaching, inspire students, and make learning holistic, meaningful, and engaging.

The Journey

Introduced in the 10th edition of Kala Utsav (2024-25), Samriddhi is an annual national-level competition that highlights the creativity and commitment of teachers working in secondary classes (IX–XII). It encourages teachers across India to design and implement engaging lessons that integrate visual arts, music, dance, theatre, and crafts with core subjects such as mathematics, science, languages, and social sciences. By doing so, Samriddhi not only celebrates teaching excellence but also contributes to the larger goal of transforming classrooms into spaces of exploration and joyful learning.

The Competition

Samriddhi is conducted at multiple levels—district, state/UT, and national. A team of two teachers represents each State/UT/KVS/NVS/EMRS, with one being a subject teacher and the other optionally from visual or performing arts disciplines. Their presentations are evaluated by an eminent jury of educationists on parameters such as:
• Relevance of the chosen theme and subject integration
• Appropriateness of art forms and crafts used as pedagogy
• Student engagement in the art-based learning process
• Creativity, innovation, and strategic processes employed
• Clarity, effectiveness, and presentation skills

Beyond Awards: Building a Knowledge Repository
One of the most impactful aspects of Samriddhi is its long-term vision. Each year, the initiative collates best practices in Art Integrated Pedagogy from across the nation. This repository becomes a valuable resource for educators everywhere, offering a wealth of creative ideas and practical strategies for making learning more inclusive, experiential, and dynamic.
Samriddhi is not just a competition—it is a movement to empower teachers, inspire classrooms, and transform the learning experience for millions of students. By bridging subjects with art, Samriddhi cultivates empathy, imagination, collaboration, and critical thinking—the essential skills of the 21st century.

About Pratibha Samvardhan

Nurturing India's Artistic Talent through Excellence and Innovation
The Pratibha Samvardhan Karyakram represents a transformative initiative by the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, designed to identify, nurture, and celebrate the extraordinary artistic talents of India's youth. Building upon the remarkable success of Kala Utsav, our nation's premier cultural showcase for secondary students, this comprehensive nurturance program embodies the vision of NEP 2020 and the spirit of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.'

Our Vision: Beyond Competition to Comprehensive Development
As an extension of the Kala Utsav initiative launched in 2015 by the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Pratibha Samvardhan focuses on augmenting the learning experience for the participants. Unlike Kala Utsav’s platform-based format, this programme offered structured mentorship, peer collaboration, and exposure to India's cultural legacy. It brings together the brightest winners from Kala Utsav, and creates an immersive environment where creativity flourishes and cultural understanding deepens. In alignment with NEP 2020's recommendation to engage "outstanding local artists and craftspersons" and establish "Artist(s)-in-Residence" programs, Pratibha Samvardhan has forges strategic partnerships with India's most esteemed cultural institutions. Sangeet Natak Akademi, Lalit Kala Akademi, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), National Bal Bhavan, INTACH were few of the key institutions participating in Pratibha Samvardhan 2025.

Transformative Learning at Pratibha Samvardhan: The students and teachers participating in Pratibha Samvardhan enrich their learning in multiple ways:
Multidisciplinary Learning: Our program transcends traditional boundaries, exposing students to diverse art forms including music, dance, visual arts, theatre, and handicrafts. This interdisciplinary approach fosters creativity and develops well-rounded artistic sensibilities.
Cultural Integration and Understanding: Through immersive experiences with master artists and cultural practitioners, students develop deep appreciation for India's rich heritage while fostering unity in diversity—a cornerstone of our national identity.
Experiential Learning: Moving beyond theoretical knowledge, our hands-on workshops, live performances, and interactive sessions ensure that learning is engaging, memorable, and practically applicable.
Talent Nurturing: Expert mentorship from renowned artists and cultural institutions provides personalized guidance, helping each student discover their unique artistic voice and develop specialized skills.
Life Skills Enhancement: The program cultivates essential 21st-century skills including communication, teamwork, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving—preparing students for success beyond the arts.

Cultural Heritage Preservation: By connecting young artists with traditional forms and master practitioners, we ensure the continuity of India's invaluable cultural legacy for future generations. The residential camp experience at Pratibha Samvardhan encompasses intensive workshops, master classes, cultural site visits, and peer interactions that create lasting memories and friendships. With the participation of talented students and their dedicated teachers from across the country, the program creates a vibrant community of learning and cultural exchange. Pratibha Samvardhan is more than a program—it's a movement toward reimagining arts education in India. By recognizing that every child has unique creative potential and providing platforms for its expression, we contribute to building a more culturally aware, creative, and confident generation.