Participants from Nagaland during the National Level Kala Utsav online competition at Ruzhukhrie GHSS Kohima on January 15. (Morung Photo)
National level arts competition underway
Our Correspondent
Kohima | January 15
Along with the rest of the country, Nagaland has also joined National Level Kala Utsav online competition.
With nine categories of competition, this National level arts competition started from January 11 and will continue till January 22.
Out of 18 participants representing Nagaland, 12 participants are performing in the studio at Highland Dawn Media Kohima for six days since January 12 while another six participants are participating in the Visual Art 2D, 3D and Indigenous Toys and Games from today (January 15) at Ruzhukhrie Government Higher Secondary School Kohima.
The categories of competition being conducted in the different venue includes ;Vocal-Music Classical, Instrumental Music- Classical, Visual Art 2D and 3D and Indigenous Toys and Games, Vocal Music traditional/Folk, Instrumental Music Traditional/Folk, Dance Classical and Dance Traditional/Folk.
Interacting with media persons, Liyalo Apon, Deputy Mission Director, Samagra Shiksha Nagaland and Programme Coordinator Kala Utsav 2020 said that Kala Utsav is initiated by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, Govt of India and National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), New Delhi.
This year, he said, Kala Utsav programme is being conducted online from district level up to national level in view of COVID-19 pandemic.
Wonthungo Tsopoe, Director, School Education Nagaland today inspected the ongoing competition events at Ruzhukhrie GHSS.
About Kala Utsav
Kala Utsav was launched in 2015 to promote arts in education, by nurturing and showcasing the artistic talent of school students in the country.
In the context of education of Arts (Music, Dance, Visual Arts and Crafts), the initiative is guided by the recommendations of the National Curriculum Framework 2005.
The District, State and National level Kala Utsav has been structured as an art festival to include performances and display of exhibits.
The design of Kala Utsav helps the students explore, understand and showcase of artistic talent of practicing different art forms.
This event gives students the opportunity to understand and celebrate cultural diversity at district, state and national level.
As an effort to mainstream students with special needs (differently abled and from diverse socio-economic backgrounds) and celebrating their abilities, Kala Utsav is envisaged as a fully integrated platform.
The Kala Utsav is not just a one-time activity but the beginning of a complete process of identifying, exploring, understanding, practicing, evolving and showcasing the artistic talent.
It further highlights the importance of cultural exposure that a student should receive in order to develop a better sense of identity, belongingness as well as an appreciation of other cultures.
NEP identifies this cultural understanding as a major competency required among children 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.
This vision of NEP has been incorporated in Kala Utsav, 2020 to create a platform for exploring, exchanging and experiencing the diverse cultural heritage of the country.
