UNMESHA AND UTKARSH Festivals

Why in news?

• These festivals were organised by Sahitya Akademi and Sangeet Natak Akademi, respectively,with the purpose of celebrating inclusivity and cultural diversity.

About UNMESHA:

• It is India’s most inclusive and Asia’s largest literature festival in terms of the number of languages represented.
• More than 575 authors in 102 languages are expected to participate in over 75 events in ‘Unmesha 2023’, and writers from 13 countries will participate in the festival.
• This will be the second edition of ‘Unmesha’. The first event was held in Shimla in June 2022.

What is UTKARSH festival?

• It showcases the folk and tribal Performing Arts
• It casts a spotlight on the treasure trove of India’s folk and tribal heritage, endowing these expressive art forms with a resplendent stage to captivate and enthral.
• A poignant tribute to the nation’s cultural legacy, ‘Utkarsh’ serves as a vital launchpad for traditional artists and performers to unfurl their artistry, safeguarding the priceless heritage of myriad communities.
• Amidst its vibrant canvas, ‘Utkarsh’ brings forth a vivid tableau of cultural diversity, nurturing an appreciation for indigenous arts and underscoring their intrinsic value in an increasingly interconnected world.

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Key facts about Sangeet Natak Akademi

• It is the apex body in the field of performing arts in the country, was set up in 1953 for the preservation and promotion of the vast intangible heritage of India’s diverse culture expressed in forms of music, dance and drama.
• The Chairman of the Akademi is appointed by the President of India for a term of five years.
• The Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards are the highest national recognition conferred on practising artists.
• The Akademi also confers Fellowships on eminent artists and scholars of music, dance and drama; and has in 2006 instituted annual awards to young artists – the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar. 

Key facts about Sahitya Akademi

• Sahitya Akademi, India’s national academy of letters was established in 1954 by the Government of India.
• As India’s premier literary institution, the Akademi preserves and promotes literature contained in twenty-four Indian languages recognised by it through awards, fellowships, grants, publications, literary programmes, workshops and exhibitions.
• The Akademi also undertakes literary exchange programmes with various countries across the globe to promote Indian literature beyond the shores of India.

Q1)Who are tribes?

Tribes are social groups or communities of people who share a common ancestry, culture, language, and often a geographical territory. They are typically smaller in size and have a strong sense of identity and solidarity among their members. Traditionally, tribes have their own distinct customs, traditions, and governing structures

Source: PRESIDENT OF INDIA INAUGURATES ‘UNMESHA’ AND ‘UTKARSH’ FESTIVALS IN BHOPAL