A one-day event to promote the upcoming National Tribal Dance Festival in Chhatisgarh and to showcase the rich tribal traditions of the state was held in the national capital on Friday, October 21. The colloquium, which Chhatisgarh Tourism hosted, featured panel talks and a performance by Padma Vibhushan Teejan Bai&ndashan exponent of Pandavani, a traditional performing art form.
It's important to note that a sizable portion of Chhattisgarh's population is tribal. According to official statistics, the state is home to around 7.5 per cent of India's tribal population. Also, tribal people make up to about 30 per cent of the state's total population.
Aim
Although the National Tribal Dance Festival 2022 was the Conclave's primary focus, it also brought together culture and tourism specialists, officials, and investors to reposition Chhattisgarh as a state with a wealth of tourism potential, including its intangible culture.
Chhatisgarh CM Hosted the Event
Bhupesh Baghel, the chief minister of Chhatisgarh, hosted the event at the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art in Saket, where he held a press conference to engage with the media. Shivkumar Dahariya, Minister of Urban Administration and Development, was with him for the occasion.
While discussing the initiatives taken under his leadership in tourism and culture for promoting Chhattisgarh, he said, "Tribal culture is deeply-rooted in Chhattisgarh. Our government has taken several initiatives and started many schemes to ensure the overall development of tribals in the last three years."
"National Tribal Dance Festival is an effort towards preserving the rich cultural heritage of tribals. Today, the tribes are getting good prices for their forest produce. We have created a better market for them by doing value addition in forest produce. Tribals have been given forest rights to help them move forward fearlessly and live dignified lives," he added.
CM Baghel also stressed the significance of preserving the fundamental elements of tribal culture while presenting the traditions and customs of the tribe. "This festival aims at bringing the tribals of the world on one platform so that they connect with each other, cherish their culture and strength, and move forward. We are moving towards creating Chhattisgarh as the world forum for tribals."
Tribal Products and Handicrafts at Display
Initiatives in the handicrafts sector were highlighted at the event, along with other entrepreneurial goods that brought the tribal culture to life. Kem Vaishnav, a Biti Chitra artist whose work was for sale, also gave a demonstration. Vendors selling traditional Bastar and Kondagaon foods, crafts, and snacks were also given space at the event.
About National Tribal Dance Festival 2022
The National Tribal dance festival, a three-day cultural extravaganza celebrating the tribal way of life, will be held between November 1 and 3 in Raipur, Chattisgarh. Tribal dance groups from several Indian states and union territories will participate in the event, along with a few foreign guests, who will represent and celebrate their own respective tribal folk cultures.
