The Ministry of Education recently organized Kala Utsav 2020, an annual function that fosters the integration of arts within the educational system. This event has garnered considerable attention and is designed with a keen focus on promoting and cultivating artistic talent within school students at the secondary stage.
Origins and Backdrop of Kala Utsav
Kala Utsav has its roots in the Ministry of Education’s (MoE) initiative of promoting arts in education to stimulate creativity among students. The programme initially started as part of the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA). However, it has now been amalgamated with other schemes under ‘Samagra Shiksha – an integrated scheme for school education’.
Purpose of Kala Utsav
The primary objective of Kala Utsav is nurturing and showcasing the artistic talents of students at the secondary level across India. The utsav is structured as an art festival, complete with performances and exhibits, providing a platform for young artists to display their skills and creativity.
Kala Utsav and NCF 2005
The conduct of Kala Utsav is aligned with the recommendations of the National Curriculum Framework 2005 (NCF-2005). Specifically, this pertains to the education in the Arts, covering Music, Theatre, Dance, Visual Arts and Crafts, thus offering a comprehensive approach to arts education.
Significance of Kala Utsav
One of the highlights of Kala Utsav 2020 was the introduction of the Indigenous Toys and Games segment. This was in line with the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative. The move demonstrated perfect synergy with the National Education Policy 2020, which actively promotes arts and culture through education.
Kala Utsav also aligns seamlessly with the Samagra Shiksha Scheme by enhancing aesthetics and artistic experiences for secondary-level students. This is instrumental in fostering awareness about India’s vivacious cultural heritage and diversity, echoing the sentiments of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’. The exposure to arts not only nurtures creativity but also enhances students’ reasoning, comprehension, problem-solving skills, cognitive abilities, enabling holistic student development.
Other Measures to Promote Arts
In addition to Kala Utsav, there are other initiatives taken to promote arts. These include the Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana and the Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Both initiatives are powered by the Ministry of Culture, reinforcing their commitment to the promotion and preservation of arts and culture in India.
