Raipur, 01 August 2023
Appreciating the Chhattisgarh government for organizing the National Tribal Dance Festival, Thailand’s young artist Ekkalak Noongon Thai said that the tribal community has its own art, culture, its recognition is necessary. Tribal communities live in a town or areas, in such a situation, the identity of their art and culture remains confined to a limited area. Such events have a big role in preserving the art and culture of the tribal society. Ms. Alisa Stukonova from Belarus said that it was her good fortune that she came to Chhattisgarh. Seeing the presentation of the artists of Chhattisgarh, he realized that there are so many diversities in the culture and life of Chhattisgarh.
Fairs, festivals and festivals are a part of the folk tradition in Chhattisgarh. At the same time, the folk culture of the state and the tribals are synonymous with each other. The forests here and the tribals living here for centuries have been a special identity of the state. Almost half of the state’s land is forest, where the glorious primitive culture of Chhattisgarh has been flourishing through fairs and festivals. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel, the state government took the initiative to preserve and promote the primitive culture of the state as well as to make it recognized at the world level and the National Tribal Dance Festival was successfully organized in Chhattisgarh on a large scale. The tribal dance festival organized in the state has not only taken national but international form, due to which the primitive folk culture of Chhattisgarh has got a new identity in the country and the world.
The tribes living in Chhattisgarh have a rich cultural heritage, which is expressed through their daily life, Teej-festival, religious customs and traditions. The Ghotul tradition of the tribes of Bastar is famous. The major dances of the tribes are Gaur, Karma, Kaksar, Shaila, Sarhul and Parab popular among the masses. Along with saving and beautifying the traditional music, dance, musical instruments, art and culture of the tribes in the last five years, the Government of Chhattisgarh has made a commendable effort to bring them on the world stage. The grand event of the International Tribal Dance Festival is a link in this effort.
Along with showing the culture of Chhattisgarh, people and foreign artists from all over the country, through the dance, music and songs of the tribal society, who give inspiration and message to fight against many challenges of life and live in adverse conditions, through the National Tribal Dance Festival given the opportunity to join. In this festival, colorful presentations of dances of artists, tribal society and other environment were seen and heard from different states across the country. The ancient and rich folk culture and dance of Chhattisgarh left a distinct impression. In this ceremony to be held at the Science College ground of Raipur, the confluence of the tribal culture of not only Chhattisgarh but other states of the country and their live presentation can also be seen amidst tribal dances along with songs and melodious tunes of more than one instrument in traditional costumes. Got it.
For the first time in the year 2019, the Government of Chhattisgarh took the initiative to recognize the tribal culture at the international level by giving a platform to the artists in this event. The event was enjoyed by the audience and the artists brought fame to the tribal culture through this platform. When the tribals got the stage for the first time in a national level event, they could not forget the self-composed songs, unique instrumental melodies and attractive costumes, dance performances adorned in jewellery, the audience watching the performances even today. Being organized for the last 3 years. Foreign artists from a dozen countries including Uganda, Belarus, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bangladesh also participated in this festival. Apart from this, more than 5000 artists from 28 states and union territories also participated.
