Folk Art, Festivals, Monuments, Tourism & Saints of Chhattisgarh — Practice

Question 1

Which dance is performed by the Satnami community and on what occasion?

Accepted Answer

The Panthi, performed in praise of Guru Ghasidas, especially on Guru Ghasidas Jayanti on 18 December. It is a fast, devotional group dance.

Question 2

How long is Bastar Dussehra and to whom is it dedicated?

Accepted Answer

It lasts about 75 days and is dedicated to the goddess Danteshwari. It begins with the Pata Jatra and ends with the Muria Darbar, and is not linked to the burning of Ravana.

Question 3

Which temple is called the Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh?

Accepted Answer

The Bhoramdeo temple in Kabirdham district, built by the Naga dynasty in the eleventh century, known for its sculpture.

Question 4

What is Pandavani? Name its styles and a leading performer. (~100 words)

Accepted Answer

Pandavani is the narration of the Mahabharata in song and speech, with the performer holding a tambura and often taking the role of Bhima. It has two styles, Vedamati, which is seated and more restrained, and Kapalik, which is livelier and uses movement and acting. Teejan Bai, the best-known Kapalik performer, has received the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan. Pandavani shows how an epic is adapted to a regional idiom.

Question 5

Describe the Rajim Kumbh and one other major fair of Chhattisgarh. (~100 words)

Accepted Answer

The Rajim Kumbh, often called the Kumbh of Chhattisgarh, is held at Rajim in Gariaband district, where the Mahanadi, Pairi and Sondur meet. It begins on Magh Purnima and ends on Mahashivratri, with holy baths and rituals at the Rajivalochana temple. The Chakradhar Samaroh at Raigarh, held around Ganesh Chaturthi since 1985 in memory of Raja Chakradhar Singh, is a classical music and dance festival that brings performers from across the country.

Question 6

Name the heritage sites of Sirpur and the dynasty linked to them.

Accepted Answer

Sirpur in Mahasamund has the brick Lakshmana temple, Buddhist viharas and Shaiva temples. It was the capital of the Panduvamshi kings, and earlier of the Sharabhapuriyas.

Question 7

Which university at Khairagarh is devoted to music and the arts?

Accepted Answer

Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, founded in 1956 and described as the first music and arts university in Asia.

Question 8

Discuss the folk performing arts of Chhattisgarh. (~175 words)

Accepted Answer

Chhattisgarh has a rich tradition of folk dance, song and theatre. Among dances, the Panthi is performed by Satnamis in praise of Guru Ghasidas, the Raut Nacha by Yadavs after Diwali, the Suwa by women around a parrot figure, the Karma by tribal communities in worship of the Karam deity, and the Gaur and Kaksar by the Maria and Muria of Bastar. Folk songs such as Suwa and Bans geet accompany work and festivals. Pandavani, the narration of the Mahabharata in Vedamati and Kapalik styles, was made famous by Teejan Bai. Nacha is the folk theatre of the plains, which Habib Tanvir took to a wider audience through his play Charandas Chor. These forms link performance to festivals, agricultural seasons and community identity, and their survival depends on institutions such as the Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya and on festival platforms.

Question 9

Discuss the heritage and natural tourism potential of Chhattisgarh. (~175 words)

Accepted Answer

Chhattisgarh combines heritage and nature. Its heritage runs from the Mauryan-period Sitabenga and Jogimara caves to Sirpur's Lakshmana temple, Buddhist viharas and Shaiva shrines, Rajim, Ratanpur's Mahamaya temple, Bhoramdeo, Barsur and the Deorani-Jethani temples at Tala. Its natural attractions include the Chitrakote and Tirathgarh falls, the Kotumsar cave of Kanger Valley, the plateau of Mainpat and the Barnawapara sanctuary and tiger reserves. Festivals such as the 75-day Bastar Dussehra, the Rajim Kumbh and the Sirpur Mahotsav add cultural depth, and tribal crafts such as Dhokra provide livelihoods. The potential is large, but it needs better connectivity, lodging, interpretation and community participation, while conflict in parts of Bastar and forest protection require careful management. Tourism should therefore support tribal livelihoods and conservation.

Practice — Folk Art, Festivals, Monuments, Tourism & Saints of Chhattisgarh

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