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Youths perform at the 5th state-level Kala Utsav competition and Cultural Day 2019, on October 29 at Seikhazou in Kohima.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Dimapur, Oct. 29 (EMN): The art-focused educational programme “Kala Utsav” has goals beyond mere promotion of arts in education by nurturing artistically-inclined students.
The programme recognises the positive impact art and its myriad artistic forms have on the minds of students that might aid their academic performance, according to a government official speaking at a Kala Utsav event in the capital town, Kohima.
The state Kala Utsav, was conducted on October 29 in the Neilhouzhü Kire government higher secondary school at Seikhazou in Kohima. Limawati Ao, the director of the department of Information and Public Relations (IPR), attended the occasion as its guest of honour. The programme was organised by the Samagra Shiksha, Nagaland.
The “Kala Utsav” is an initiative of the ministry of Human Resource Development to promote arts in education by nurturing and giving a platform for artistic talent of school students at the secondary stage in the country.
The Samagra Shiksha is a programme for the school education sector from pre-school to class 12 with the broader goal of improving school effectiveness measured in terms of equal opportunities for schooling and equitable learning outcomes.
In his address at the programme, Ao said dance and physical activities should have the ‘same status’ in school as mathematics, science and language.
"Dance can help restore joy and stability in troubled lives, and ease the tensions in schools that are disrupted by violence and bullying," he said.
Further, the official cited studies that music can lead to an improvement in brain development and neural processing was found to be better in students who played a musical instrument than those who simply listened to music.
Besides, there is a career in taking up arts, and earning money by doing something what you like is life. There are things beyond government service, said Ao.
Citing the example of the local comedy group Dreamz Unlimited, he said that the group’s members are earning a “comfortable livelihood” and are popular in Nagaland. He said one of its YouTube videos have crossed one million views, which he said was a big achievement in the Naga context. Further, he said painting teaches a person to slow down and observe the world for what it is, and also help in communicating one's emotions.
‘Painting is not very popular among our people but it helps students to communicate their feelings and emotions, help students develop decision making skills and also discover their creativity,’ Ao said.
He urged stakeholders in the state education sector to promote said activities seriously and aid their growing importance. He urged the Samagra Shiksha, school education policy makers, parents and teachers to make this kind of event a part of learning process and make it a year-long event integral to nurturing students into bright, happy and independent capable young men and women in the future.
The school will not regret this kind of activities, he said. “Art is an essential of learning and it is not a question of why they are important but they are the foundation.”
Timothy Thong, deputy mission director of the Samagra Shiksha and state programme coordinator of Kala Utsav, said that the ministry of Human Resource Development recognised the importance of aesthetics and artistic experiences for secondary-level students, in creating awareness about India’s rich cultural heritage and its vibrant diversity.
Thong said that the Kala Utsav was started in 2015 and since then they have been regularly organising and celebrating art forms in the schools system to help students explore, understand, and showcase their artistic talents of practicing different art forms, giving students opportunity to understand and celebrate cultural diversity at the school, district, state and national level.
“The event will help promote networking of artists”, he added.
Additional updates from the government publicity agency the department of Information and Public Relations (IPR) on Tuesday wrote about the programme too.
Kala Utsav is a celebration of art and its myriad forms in the school system. It will continue as an ongoing programme, the IPR stated. The district, state, and national-level Kala Utsav is structured as an art festival which will include performances and display of exhibits along with online art projects. The design of Kala Utsav will help students explore, understand and showcase living art traditions such as music, theatre, dance, visual arts and crafts.
Through the Kala Utsav, students will get the opportunity to understand and celebrate cultural diversity at school, district, state and national levels too, the updates stated.
“The Kala Utsav will not only spread awareness among students, but also create awareness of India’s cultural heritage and its vibrant diversity amongst other stakeholders. Further, this will help to promote the networking of artists, artisans and institutions with schools,” the IPR stated.
