64 Kalas Enhance Vocational Development And Employability Through Multi-skilling

By Author: Chaitanya Kumari
Total Articles: 99
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Traditional skill sets have reached their limits and in the current times, the need for a varied skill set is both pressing and mandatory. The 64 Kalas System extends such a notion of skill development to high level serving as a true reflection of Indian culture, the art and wisdom enshrined within. While the 64 Kalas are culturally associated with the fine arts, it is important to note that they include not just artistic talents, but also vocational skills that ease the chances of employment.

However, the Western education system introduced many aspects which have made and continue to make, it difficult to conserve and appreciate these delicate masterpieces and branches of art. This article examines the relationship between fine arts and vocational training, and how multi-skilling would help people during such harsh competition in job markets. Furthermore, it discusses the effects of Western education on indigenous knowledge systems, and the impacts of colonialism on oriental systems up to the present day.

Origins and Significance of the 64 Kalas
The 64 kalas, which were adopted in ancient Indian society, ...
... are more precisely 64 arts or skills and it shows that those arts and skills comprise numerous talents and abilities. They were regarded as of utmost importance in the earlier days and were bound to be possessed by an individual aiming to express his ability in all the domains effectively. These arts were in great demand and promoted because of their role in self-enhancement and improvement of individuals. However, they were not restricted to practical aspects only but also helped in providing growth in an individual’s spirituality and intelligence.

Significance of Multi-Skilling in Vocational Development
Multi-skilling is the ability to obtain and perfect new skills, especially those beyond the primary field of expertise. At present, multi-skilling is seen in the context of changing job roles and responsibilities within the current market. It is viewed as improving productivity and creating new possibilities in terms of career growth. Endorsing multi-skilling for vocational purposes makes it easier for the stakeholders to be active and aggressive. This is because the populations in question understand how to change and adapt to different roles, industries, and challenges through the change of skills thus, promoting adaptability, resistance, and self-development.

The 64 Kalas encompass a wide range of capacities that can be exercised in numerous careers and sectors. Be it in art, construction, or any other skill such as writing or managing, knowing the 64 Kalas allows one to follow many career paths and pursue many opportunities. Knowing how to do all 64 Talas not only shows that there is competency in many areas but most importantly shows that there is interest in self-improvement. Employers look for people whose skills can be very different as they allow flexibility with regard to the kinds of tasks being performed and such people are ready to fight new hurdles.

Strategies for Integrating 64 Kalas into Vocational Training
For vocational training purposes, the 64 Kalas can be adapted by integrating traditional skills with modern ones, guided by the efforts of curriculum designers. This is possible by taking a few steps backward in time after walking a few steps forward. Students can therefore be equipped with skills that are relevant and are needed in the job market. Schools can also use workshops, internships, and interdisciplinary projects to produce versatile practitioners. It is desirable that classic and work-related skills are nurtured with family and external support provided while also engaging the child in the profession through various activities or projects.

Impact of Western Education on Traditional Knowledge
The introduction of Western education was detrimental to traditional knowledge especially that of the 64 Kalas. There are historical examples of how new ‘Western education’ offered new knowledge that was not fit to the all-embracing systems of knowledge; this led to a reduction in the use and the conservation of these systems of ancient art. Another consequence of differences in the orientations of education systems: while the 64 Kalas concept is healthy in its rich and diverse practice, the Western system sidelined them and left them to languish.

Colonial Supremacy and Oriental Systems
The age of colonial rule was characterized by the progressive belittlement of knowledge, including the 64 Kalas, from the East as the ‘Western’ colonialists advanced their worldviews and levels of education. This cultural dominance resulted in the modification of native practices and the introduction of Western forms of thought to Eastern practices. It is this understanding of resisting colonial suppression that places the difficulties in understanding why the 64 Kalas are being encouraged and developed as they perform a central role in conservational efforts in the present and the future.

Conclusion
In envisioning a future where traditional wisdom thrives alongside modernity, potential strategies for reclaiming and revitalizing the 64 Kalas in contemporary society come to the forefront. Embracing innovative approaches, fostering intergenerational dialogue, and integrating traditional arts and skills into educational curricula are key steps toward ensuring the enduring legacy of these invaluable cultural treasures.

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