Music, dance & painting mark Kohima District level Kala Utsav competition

Participants with dignitaries after the Kohima District level Kala Utsav competition held in Kohima on October 14. (Morung Photo)

Our Correspondent

Kohima | October 14

The Kohima District level Kala Utsav competition was held today under the aegis of District Mission Authority, Samagra Shiksha Kohima. The event was marked by vocal music, instrumental music, dance and painting competition.

Kohima deputy commissioner Gregory Thejawelie graced the valedictory function and gave away prize to the winners.

He encouraged the students to exhibit their talents through the platform of Kala Utsav which aim towards improving quality education and to promote cultural and traditions of the country.

Dojii Khate, District Education Officer Kohima maintained that many singers, musicians, dancers, painters etc. were successful because of their hard work and dedication. He urged the students to make the best use of their talents and compete with the rest of the world.

Khate informed that there are 24 GHS and 7 GHSS under Kohima district. Earlier, SMA Samagra Shiksha deputy mission director Timothy Thong said that Kala Utsav is an initiative of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, to promote arts in education by nurturing and showcasing the artistic talent of school students at the secondary stage of education in the country.

“This initiative is guided by the recommendations of the National Focus Group Position Paper (No. 1.7) on Arts, Music, Dance and Theatre for National Curriculum Framework 2005 (NCF 2005),” Thong said adding that this great work was taken up by the erstwhile programme RMSA and is now carried forward by Samagra Shiksha, which recognizes the importance of aesthetic and artistic experiences for secondary students, which plays a major role in creating awareness of India's rich cultural heritage and its vibrant diversity.

In line with this intervention, he said, the Ministry has started Rangotsav, which is a festival aimed at promoting experimental learning and also making learning a joyful experience by using arts in education.

The major activities in Rangotsav includes;  role play competition, band competition, music teachers' competition and folk dance competition. Another innovative programme that has taken flight in recent times, is the introduction of culture & traditions in schools.

Through this component, it seeks to sensitize students in the elementary level about the rich culture and traditions of our tribe and country, Thong said.

In this, the focus is given to elementary stages of school education, to encourage joyful learning.

“This is done so that students at all stages are made to profoundly engage themselves on a continuous basis, to learn and to showcase the rich culture and traditions of one's own heritage,” he said adding that the ultimate goal of this competition is to send the best talents in all the categories, to compete with the students from the rest of India at the National Level Kala Utsav.

“We have so much to show the world about how rich the Naga culture and traditions are. Now it is your duty to show the world that the Nagas are second to none. Through Kala Utsav, we wish to give a chance to students to bring in innovations so that you may blend the culture and traditions of our ancestors with the contemporary art forms. Make whatever presentation you showcase lively and interesting and let the younger generation see your work and build an interest in arts,” Thong said.

Earlier, the inaugural function was chaired by Thongsenlo, assistant district coordinator, Samagra Shiksha while vote of thanks was proposed by Neivikhono, PA, DMA, Shiksha Samagra.

Senti Semy and Dziesekhrienuo Keretsü were the panel of the judges.

The event was joined by seven educational institutions. It includes; John Govt. Higher Secondary School Viswema, Government High School Kigwema, Government High School Zhadima, Government High School Kandinu, Government High School Chandmari, Government High School Kiruphema and TM Government Higher Secondary School Kohima.

Dance
1st: Povidra, GHS Zhadima
2nd: Megosie, GHS Kiruphema
3rd: Chington & Moalem GHS Chandmari
 
Vocal Music
1st: Mehisen Kath, GHS Kandinu
2nd: Kekhrienguzo, Chale GHS Kigwema
3rd: Neilhouzonu, GHS Kiruphema
 
Instrumental Music Solo
1st: Puso Swüro, TM GHSS
2nd: Justin Malang, GHSS, John GHSS Viswema
3rd: Mhasineito, GHS Kiruphema
 
Painting
1st:  Kevichüzo, GHS Kigwema
2nd: Avinu Koso, John GHSS Viswema
3rd: Kukhoto, TM GHSS Kohima