HT Correspondent
TAWANG, Aug 26: The vibrant traditions and heritage of Tawang district came alive recently as the Education Department organised the District-Level Kala Utsav 2025 at the Government Town Secondary School Auditorium.
According to an official statement, the day-long cultural festival brought together students from across the district, offering a platform to showcase folk songs, dances, skits, and dramas rooted in Monpa traditions.
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A total of 13 Higher Secondary and Secondary Schools, ranging from Jemeithang to Jang, took part in the competition.
Their performances focused on local dialects, marriage customs, folk practices, and traditional crafts using wood, bamboo, clay, and paper.
The statement said the festival served as an opportunity to highlight both tangible and intangible aspects of Tawang’s cultural legacy.
In his welcome address, Dondup, District Programme Coordinator (ISSE), reminded participants of the objective of Kala Utsav, which has been celebrated nationally since 2015, and stressed the importance of youth involvement in safeguarding age-old traditions.
The programme was attended by District Deputy Director of School Education (DDSE) Hridar Phuntsok as the Chief Guest.
In his remarks, he commended the participants for their creativity and dedication, urging students to continue developing their skills in traditional arts and handicrafts.
He praised the role of teachers in preparing the students and noted that the winners from Tawang would now represent the district at the state level, acting as cultural ambassadors.
Phuntsok further encouraged schools to promote more cultural activities alongside academics in order to foster a balanced education.
The judging panel included Sonam Tsering, District Art and Cultural Officer, well-known Monpa singer and music composer Sonam, and the District Information and Public Relations Officer (DIPRO), Tawang.
According to the official results, Government Town Secondary School, Tawang, secured the first position with a skit showcasing the Monpa way of life, including paper making, weaving, Thangka painting, bamboo craft, and traditional attire stitching.
The second place went to Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya, Kangteng, for a skit on Monpa pottery, while Kyidphel Secondary School took the third spot with a demonstration of the traditional water-run prayer wheel known as Dungyur Mani.
The cultural showcase concluded with a celebration of the district’s diversity, reaffirming the community’s commitment to preserving its heritage for future generations. The Education Department said the event not only recognised the artistic talent of school children but also emphasised the need for integrating cultural preservation with modern education.
