///Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel will also reach the trade fair in New Delhi
Raveesh Benjamin
New Delhi, November 20, 2022:* The ongoing India International Trade Fair will witness Chhattisgarh’s rich cultural heritage at the Pragati Maidan’s amphitheatre on November 21 as Chhattisgarh pavilion will celebrate its state day.
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel will inaugurate the event and inspect the stalls set up at the pavilion. The pavilion showcases various initiatives and schemes of the Chhattisgarh government aimed at building a robust rural economy. Every stall in the pavilion depicts the central theme of the trade fair ‘Vocal for Local, Local to Global’.
Chhattisgarh has a vast canvas of tribal dance forms, folk songs and traditional musical instruments. Delhiites will have the opportunity to have a glimpse of the state’s Gaur dance, Parab dance, Bhojali dance, Gedi dance, Sua dance, Panthi dance and Karma dance, which will be performed during the event. Each dance form has its own history and significance to it.
Parab Dance:
This dance is performed by the Dhurva tribes of Bastar region. Men and women dance together playing flute and drum and create a pyramid-like structure.This dance is called Sainik Nritya, because the dancers carry the axe and sword, the symbols of valour, during the dance. This dance is organized on the occasion of Madhai.
Gaur dance
Gaur dance is a popular folk dance of Sing Marias or Tallaguda Marias of South Bastar. Men put head-dresses with stringed ‘cowries’ and plumes of peacock feathers and make their way to the dancing ground. Women ornamented with brass fillets and bead necklaces with their tattooed bodies also join the gathering and play instruments. The men beat the drums, tossing the horns and feathers of their head-gears to the rising tempo that gives the dance a wilder touch.
Gedi dance
This dance is prevalent all over Chhattisgarh, but in Bastar it is performed by the Mudiya tribe on the occasion of Hareli in the month of Savan. During the performance, the dancers are mounted high on two long bamboo poles or any other firm pole. The best part of the Gendi dance is watching the performers banging the pole on the ground and at the same time keeping an excellent balance while swaying with the different tribal acoustics and percussions. Hence this dance is a display of perfection physical skill and balance.
Sua dance
Sua means Parrot dance is performed on the occasion of Goura’s marriage. The women perform this folk dance while keeping a parrot in the centre. Though a bit simple, but the fun, energy and zest with the dance performance move is enough to make you adore it. The performers sing and dance in beautiful styles which is not only entertaining but total fun too.
Panthi dance
Panthi dance is not only one of the most significant forms of folk dance but is also considered as a prominent custom or ceremony of the Satnami community of Chhattisgarh. This dance form is often performed by the community during the birth anniversary of Guru Ghasidas which takes place in Maghi Purnima. Like any dance form, this one is also a combination of a plethora of steps and patterns. However, the thing which makes it unique is the fact that it denotes the teachings and sayings of its holy guru.
Karma dance
This folk dance of Chhattisgarh is usually performed by the tribal groups of the state such as Gonds, Oraons, Baigas and so on. It is performed to mark the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the beautiful spring season. Both men and women of the villages participate in this dance performance. There is even a lead singer in the team of performers for Karma dance.