Kala Utsav - National Instrumental Music 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 Instrumental Music competition provides secondary school students with a national stage to showcase command over melodic, percussion and ensemble traditions of Indian music.

The Instrumental Music category runs as three streams. Solo Melodic is open to a single performer on a string or wind instrument such as Sitar, Violin or Bansuri. Solo Percussion is open to a single performer on a percussion instrument such as Tabla or Pakhawaj. The Orchestra Ensemble stream allows a team of up to four participants performing classical or folk instrumental music together. 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.