The Consulate General of India, Chicago, hosted its annual flagship cultural showcase, Kala Utsav 2025, at the end of August in the Yellow Box Theatre in Naperville, Illinois, drawing a crowd of more than 500 attendees. The event brought together community leaders, artists, dignitaries, and members of the Indian diaspora in a celebration of India’s rich cultural legacy.
Kala Utsav has become a much-anticipated tradition in the Midwest, serving as a cultural bridge where diversity meets unity, and art becomes a powerful expression of togetherness. Through classical, folk, and contemporary performances, the evening paid tribute to the timeless spirit of India—an enduring bond between tradition and modernity.
The event kicked off with the traditional lighting of the ceremonial lamp by Consul General of India in Chicago Somnath Ghosh, joined by Ward 10 Alderwoman Shweta Baid and Gautam Bhatia, Naperville Township Trustee. In his opening address, Consul General Ghosh extended heartfelt gratitude to dignitaries, members of the diplomatic community, Indian American organizations, ethnic media, and friends of India for their continued support.
He emphasized the Consulate’s ongoing commitment to promoting Indian languages, culture, films, and art in universities and institutions across the region. “Kala Utsav alone cannot encapsulate the depth of India’s cultural heritage, but it serves as an important platform to spotlight young talent and emerging artists,” he remarked. He further announced the Consulate’s plans to collaborate with local organizations to strengthen cultural ties and create more opportunities for cultural exchange. Highlighting India’s extraordinary diversity, he reaffirmed that unity in diversity remains the country’s greatest strength.
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Other dignitaries who also addressed the gathering included Baid, Bhatia, and Saba Haider, and Bhavini Patel. They lauded the Consulate’s initiative in fostering community engagement through cultural diplomacy.
Initiated in 2015 by the Department of School Education and Literacy (DSE&L), Ministry of Education (MoE), Kala Utsav is designed to foster and showcase the artistic talent of students at the Secondary Stage. It involves a comprehensive process of identifying, exploring, practicing, evolving, and presenting student talent at multiple levels—school, district, state, and national. It embodies the vision of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat, where students not only perform but also immerse themselves in India’s diverse art forms.
Kala Utsav also helps strengthen community ties by promoting collaboration between students, artists, artisans, and cultural institutions. Importantly, it provides an inclusive platform, ensuring equal opportunity for students from all sections of society to express their abilities in a joyful, creative, and supportive environment.
India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 further reinforces this vision, emphasizing that Indian culture and philosophy—rich legacies of world heritage—must be nurtured, preserved, researched, and integrated into education. It identifies cultural competency as a key student outcome and recognizes the power of the arts in enhancing both cognitive and creative capacities.
Through its Chicago edition, Kala Utsav not only showcases performances but also reflects India’s long-term commitment to cultural education, creativity, and global cultural exchange.
Performances that Lit Up the Stage
The audience was treated to a rich tapestry of performances that captured the cultural expanse of India: Bharatanatyam – Nrithya Sangeeth School of Performing Arts, Odissi Classical – Aikyam ODC Chicago, Bhangra – Bhangra Rhymes Chicago, Mohiniyattam Classical – Bharathanjali School of Dance, Kathak Fusion – Team Laya, Maharashtra Mandal of Chicago, Semi-Classical / Creative Dance – Bengali Association of Greater Chicago, Patriotic Dance – Shirlzar Dance Company, Haryanvi Folk Dance – Bolly Bhangra, Bharatanatyam – Soorya Dance School, Regional Folk Dance – Uttarakhand Association of Chicago, Folk Dances of Tamil Nadu – Nalinapadam, Kathak Classical – Taal Dance Company, Cinematic Folk – Team Ghunghur
The evening’s seamless flow was anchored by Anindita Anaam, who served as the emcee.