(a) whether the Government has organized Kala Utsav recently to promote arts in education;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the aims and objectives thereto;
(c) the number of schools children from different States that participated in the Kala Utsav,
State-wise;
(d) the benefit that the school children got out of this Utsav; and
(e) whether the Government has organized similar Utsav in the past and if so, the details thereof
along with the achievement in organizing such Utsav?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(DR. SATYA PAL SINGH)
(a) to (c) Yes Madam, the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Human
Resource Development (MHRD), Government of India launched the national level Kala Utsav in
the year 2015, to promote arts in education, by nurturing and showcasing the artistic talent of
school students, in the country. The Ministry recognises the importance of aesthetics and artistic
experiences for secondary-level students, which plays a major role in creating awareness about
India’s rich cultural heritage and its vibrant diversity in the context of education of Arts (Music,
Theatre, Dance, Visual Arts and Crafts). Recently, national level Kala Utsav 2018 was organized in
Delhi from 12th -15th December, 2018, in which 281 students participated from 34 States/UTs,
Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas. State/UT wise details of students participated in
national level Kala Utsav 2018 is at Annexure.
(d) & (e) National level Kala Utsav 2015, on the theme ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ was held from
8th - 11th December 2015 in Delhi in which 1331 Students from all 36 States/UTs participated.
National level Kala Utsav, 2016 was held from 15th -18th November 2016, in Delhi in which 1529
students from 35 States/UTs, KVS and NVS participated. The National level Kala Utsav 2017 was
held from 2nd -6th January, 2018 at Regional Institute of Education, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh on the
theme of “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” in which 1073 students from 34 States/UTs, KVS and
NVS participated.
During Kala Utsav 2015 to 2017, group competitions were held in four art forms: Dance,
Music, Theatre, Visual Arts (Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Crafts) where each State/UT sent one
team for each form of art. However, during 2018, solo competitions were held in four art forms:
Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, Dance, Painting, where each State/UT had to send two entries
i.e. one male and one female student in each art form, in order to identify and showcase individual
talent.
Arts integration in education helps to encourage creativity, develop problem solving ability
and improve the ability to handle mental imagery for better expression. Kala Utsav has been
structured as an art festival to include performances and display of exhibits. The design of Kala
Utsav helps students explore, understand and showcase their artistic talent by practicing different
art forms. This event gives students the opportunity to understand and celebrate cultural diversity at
the school, district, state and national levels. It creates awareness about India’s cultural heritage and
its vibrant diversity among students and other stakeholders. Kala Utsav helps in enhancing the
various skills of the participants and prepares them as ambassadors of our culture. Kala Utsav is
also an effort to mainstream students with special needs (differently-abled and from diverse socioeconomic
backgrounds) and celebrating their abilities.
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