Sikkim has secured the first position in the 3-Dimensional Sculpture category and Second position in the Instrumental Music Traditional Folk category in the recently held Kala Utsav Competition at the National Level. This indeed is a huge achievement by Master Tshering Lhendup Lepcha and Master Samdup Lepcha both from Mangan SSS, who stood first and second, respectively. The National level competition for Kala Utsav began virtually from January 01, 2022 and concluded on January 12, 2022. All the States, Union Territories and Kendriya Vidyalayas took part in this competition. The Valedictory cum award ceremony was graced by the Union Minister for State, Education, Government of India, today, and the winners of all the categories were declared. In previous years too, Sikkim has bagged third positions on two occasions but this time we can secure first and second positions at the National level. This year, the Kala Utsav programme was conducted under the guidance of Shri Laxuman Adhikari, AEO, the Nodal Officer at the State level.Kala Utsav is an initiative of the Ministry of Education, Government of India to promote arts in Education, by nurturing and showcasing the artistic talent of school students in the country. It is an art festival that includes performances and displays of exhibits. It helps the students to explore, understand and showcase their artistic talent of practising different art forms. It was launched in the year 2015 to create awareness about India’s rich cultural heritage and its vibrant diversity among the students. Samagra Shiksha under the Education Department conducts this event every year.Like the previous year, Kala Utsav was conducted virtually at the National Level. However, at the District level, it was conducted physically at suitable venues in all the four districts of Sikkim maintaining all COVID-19 protocols. The State level selection was done virtually from four different venues in the respective districts and a centralised venue at the state level in the NIC premises w.e.f. December 01, 2021 to December 02, 2021. This year, Kala Utsav was held in nine different art forms which included traditional Vocal Music, Dance both folk and classical, Instrumental music folk and classical, 2D & 3D painting and indigenous Toys and Games. The selection at the state level was judged by a panel of nine judges having expertise in the respective category. From among the 33 participants who made their entry to the State Level from all the districts as per the guidelines, a total of 12 participants were selected for participation at the National Level competition in various art forms. The Minister for Education Department, Shri KN Lepcha, Additional Chief Secretary Shri GP Upadhyaya, SPD Samagra Shiksha Bhim Thatal, Director Secondary Education Smt Hondala Gyaltsen and the entire family of Education Department have congratulated the winners, Nodal Officer and the Samagra Shiksha team at the State level for having conducted this programme even during the holidays. The Additional Chief Secretary Shri GP Upadhyay and the SPD Samagra Shiksha Shri Bhim Thatal have offered special thanks to the jury members who were personally involved in the selection process and trained the participants for performing at the national level.(Press Release from Education Department)
