The auditorium of Prantiya Raksha Dal (PRD) located on Tapowan road was turned into a showcase of rich cultural heritage of Uttarakhand on Thursday by 550 enthusiastic Government school students who had congregated from different parts of the State for 2nd State level ‘Kala Utsav’ programme. In the two day festival, the students belonging to 13 districts of the State would show their skill on four parameters of Theatre, Music, Dance and Visual art.
The festival was inaugurated by the Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Ranveer Singh. Speaking on the occasion he said that it is desirable that the students should get a balanced growth which involves both the scholastic and co scholastic activities.
He said that all the students who are participating in the contest have proved that they and their parents give emphasis to balanced growth. Singh congratulated the participants and hoped that they would bring accolades to the state in the national level competition.
The ACS said that art and culture are integral part of our society and the participants of the festival have shown their affinity to them.
The Director General School education and State Project Director, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), Ranjana said that the objective of the festival is to promote local art. She said the department tries to include the children with special abilities in such programmes so that they are brought into mainstream. She said that last year a total of 2200 students took part in the festival and 38 of them were selected to participate in the national festival in New Delhi.
The programme started by a welcome song by the students of Rajiv Gandhi Navodaya Vidhyalaya, Dehradun. The audience was enthralled by the traditional Kumaoni song and dance sequence performed beautifully by a troupe of students from Almora district.
The dance drama showcased the enthusiasm and rituals associated with a marriage ceremony. The students of Dehradun district drew the attention of judges when they sung traditional Jhumelo song with a theme of preventing female infanticide and promoting girl education.
The students appeared in jovial mood and gave their best when their turn came. “It should be noted that almost all students who are here belong to poor families and their
performance, choice of clothes and use of props show
that if given a chance, these students can achieve great heights in the career of their choice,’’ said T C Mathur, the district coordinator RMSA of Tehri district.
The director Secondary education RK Kunwar, Director Primary education Seema Jaunsari and large number of teachers and officials of education department witnessed the performance of the students. The Education Minister Mantri Prasad Naithani was also slated to present on the occasion but he could not make it to the programe.
On the first day the students showed their singing and dance skills while on second day they would try to impress the judges on theatre and visual arts. The selected students would represent state in national level ‘ Kala Utsav’ which would be held in New Delhi.