Kala Utsav - National Dance Competition

Kala Utsav is a national programme initiated by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, to promote arts education in schools. The Dance competition gives secondary school students a national stage to showcase classical, folk, tribal and contemporary dance traditions of India.

The Dance category runs as two streams. The Classical Solo stream is open to a single performer presenting any recognised Indian classical dance form. The Folk or Contemporary Choreography stream allows a team of up to four participants performing regional folk, tribal or contemporary group choreography that is not derived from films. Students from Classes IX to XII of government, government-aided and private schools affiliated to any state or central board are eligible to participate.

The competition progresses through Mandal, district and state-level rounds before culminating in the national finale coordinated by NCERT. Each student may enter only one art form category at Kala Utsav. Authorities are required to ensure equal representation of girls and boys and the participation of students from socio-economically disadvantaged groups including children with special needs at all levels.