Chhattisgarh's folk artists enticing perfomances in the country's capital Delhi
22-Nov-2022
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Glimpses of Chhattisgarh's culture showcased in Pragati Maidan
Cultural evening organized on Chhattisgarh State Day at Pragati Maidan, Delhi
New Delhi, TNINS
On the ocassion of the State day,a cultural evening was organized in India International Trade Fair in the country's capital Delhi,the folk artists of Chhattisgarh won the hearts of the spectators with their enticing perfomances. The cultural evening took place in Pragati Maidan's amphitheatre which witnessed glimpses of Chhattisgarh's vibrant culture through numerous folk dances.
The program was inaugurated by Food and Culture Minister of Chhattisgarh Mr. Amarjit Bhagat after he visited the Chhattisgarh Pavilion, and observed different stalls and took information from the artists and encouraged them. He also said "if our culture is destroyed, then our identity will also be destroyed. That's why we need to preserve our culture even amidst the changing environment and adverse circumstances. This type of event has an important contribution in the preservation of culture and folk art."
The audience also encouraged the artists by clapping and cheering in unison. Artists from Chhattisgarh presented dances that are typically performed on various festivals in Chhattisgarh. Food and Culture Minister Mr. Amarjit Bhagat also could not resist himself , after reaching the stage, he also played the mandar along with the artists.
The artists of Lok Ragni Dal from Bhilai, started the dance by worshiping the goddess, in which the massacre of the demon by the goddess was depicted . Women artists presented the well known Sua and Bhokali folk dance of Chhattisgarh.
The Sua dance is basically a dance performed by women and adolescent girls. In this dance women carry a Sua (clay parrot) in a basket and dance around it and sing Sua songs.Clapping is done with hand or with a piece of wood. At the end of this dance, Shiva Gauri marriage takes place. After which Gedi dance was performed. It is a male-dominated dance, in which men dance with great speed and skill while maintaining physical balance on the gedi. This dance displays the physical skill and balance.
Tribals of Bastar also gave a presentation of the Parab dance which is performed by the Dhurwa tribe living in Bastar. This dance is called Sainik Nritya, because the dancers carry the ax and sword, the symbols of valour, during the dance. This dance is organized on the occasion of Madai.
After this, the Gaur dance was performed by the Maria tribe of Bastar which is typically performed in the Jatra festival. In this dance, the young man wears a Gaur's horn on his head by making a crown by decorating it with shells. Hence this dance is also called Gaur Nitya. Only men participate in this dance. The only instrument played by women is called Tirtuddi.
Along with this, the artists presented the traditional dance of Karma. This is done to please Karma Dev,people wear traditional costumes and dance and sing Chhattisgarhi songs.
In the end, the artists of Upkar Panthi dance team conveyed the messages of Guru Ghasidas to the people through dance. This dance is a combination of several steps and patterns. This dance is not only one of the most important forms of folk dance of the region, but is also considered a major custom or ceremony of the Satnami community of Chhattisgarh. This dance is often performed by the community during the celebration of the birth anniversary of Guru Ghasidas which occurs on Magha Purnima.
On this occasion, Vivek Acharya, Director, Culture Department, Himshikhar Gupta, Special Secretary, Industries Department, Yogendra Tripathi, Culture Council, Rajendra Tiwari, Chairman, Khadi Village Industry, Arun Prasad, Managing Director, CSIDC, Shyam Sundar Bajaj, Managing Director, Minor Forest Produce Association, Residential Commissioner Mr. Ajit Vasant and other officers were present.
