Chhattisgarh Capital Gears Up To Organise National Tribal Dance Festival On Nov 1

New Delhi: Chhattisgarh is set to organise the third edition of the National Tribal Dance Festival in Raipur on November 1.

More than 1500 artists from 28 states and 8 union territories, including dancers from nine countries, will participate in the festival to be held at Science College Ground from November 1 to November 3.

Addressing a Tourism Conclave organized as a prelude to the festival in New Delhi, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said that through this festival, not only will the tribal artists will share their arts at the national and international level, but they will also share each other’s food, customs and traditions.

“Tribal culture is deeply-rooted in Chhattisgarh. Our government has taken several initiatives and started many schemes for ensuring overall development of tribals in the last 3 years. National Tribal Dance Festival is an effort towards preserving the rich cultural heritage of tribals. This festival aims at bringing the tribals of the world on one platform so that they connect with each other and cherish their culture, their strength and move forward. We are moving towards creating Chhattisgarh as the world forum for tribals,” the chief minister said.

“In the course of these efforts, we have started a very important tradition in Chhattisgarh in the form of the National Tribal Dance Festival. This effort of ours is very important not only for Chhattisgarh but also for the development of tribal communities of the country and the whole world,” he said.

The chief minister added that Chhattisgarh has used art, culture and tourism as a strong resource in the social and economic empowerment of forest dwellers, tribals, farmers, villagers and deprived sections, and we have got good results.

About the National Tribal Dance festival, the chief minister informed that the state government has sent invitations to nine countries — Mozambique, Mongolia, Tongo, Russia, Indonesia, Maldives, Serbia, New Zealand and Egypt. These countries will perform for the first time in Raipur.

The Indian Council of Cultural Relations, Delhi (ICCR) will be our ally in the transportation and hospitality of our foreign guests arriving in Delhi to Chhattisgarh.

Chhattisgarh Labor and Social Welfare Minister Shivkumar Dahariya, Tourism Board Managing Director Anil Sahu, and other officials of the Chhattisgarh government were present at the function.

Invitations have also been sent to Chief Ministers of all the states.

On the initiative of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, the ministers and administrative officers of Chhattisgarh are being personally sent to invite the Chief Ministers and Governors of various states.

Two themes have been chosen for the national festival

Competitions will be held in two categories in the National Tribal Dance Festival. The first theme is ‘Tribal Dances on Harvesting’ and the second theme is ‘Tribal Traditions and Customs’. Prizes worth Rs 20 lakh will be distributed to the winners. Prizes of Rs.05 lakh will be given for the first position, Rs.03 lakh for the second position and Rs.02 lakh for the third position.