Chhattisgarhi Culture to hit a new path with the formation of State Culture Council
Council aims to preserve and promote unique and vibrant culture of the state
Raipur, 03 December 2021/ Chhattisgarh is known for its beautifully rich culture and tradition. The tribal-dominated state is famed for its multi-ethnic culture comprising varied forms of traditional art and crafts, folk songs and dances, regional festivals and fairs and amusing cultural fests.
Taking a step ahead towards preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the state, the state government has formed "Chhattisgarh Culture Council". This council would establish a new cultural identity of Chhattisgarh at national-level and would also provide an opportunity to bring out the hidden talents of the state.
The objective is to preserve, protect and promote the rich cultural heritage of the state, its literature, language and dialects, folk music, dance-drama, theatre, art, cinema, tribal and folk arts, and folk festival besides honoring the subject experts and encouraging them to share their knowledge and expand their work in this field.
One of the characteristic features of Chhattisgarh state is that it has been formed on a cultural basis unlike some other states of the country which have been formed mainly on linguistic basis. Chhattisgarh has made a significant contribution in the heights that Madhya Pradesh has achieved in the cultural field. Unfortunately, even years after the formation of Chhattisgarh state, much work has not been done to preserve its rich vibrant culture and tradition. After the formation of Mr. Bhupesh Baghel-led government in the state, consistent efforts are being made for promoting and preserving the cultural heritage of the state.
Chhattisgarh Culture Council is headed by Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel with Culture Minister Mr. Amarjeet Bhagat as the vice chairman. The work of the council is unique in its own and in the view of this; people who have a keen interest in the art-culture and have a special place in the field of arts have been included in the council as members. The Council will play an important role to maintain coordination between various units including Chhattisgarh Official Language Commission, Chhattisgarh Sindhi Academy, Bakshi Srijan Peeth, Chakradhar Kathak Kendra, NACHA Kendra, and Chhattisgarh Film Development Corporation.
Surrounded by 7 states, Chhattisgarh is one of the most diverse states in terms of culture with tribals inhabiting more than one-third of its population. The state government has also undertaken an initiative to organize the National Tribal Dance Festival to promote, preserve, and provide a platform to showcase the rich, vibrant, and state's unique tribal culture and cultural exchange among indigenous people coming from across the country and abroad. This has given the state a special recognition at the international level.
The natives of Chhattisgarh feel proud of its culture with the meticulous steps taken by the Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel promoting Teej-festival, opening of "Gadh Kalewas" in every district to promote state's ethnic food and declaring public holidays on Teeja, Hareli, Chhath Pooja, International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, Karma Jayanti and Cherchera Punni-Shakambhari Jayanti.
The newly created Chhattisgarh Culture Council has many important responsibilities in its basket. These include undertaking initiatives to identify, promote, preserve and protect cultural heritage, development of art museums and galleries and constituting national level cultural forums in the state. Besides, the council will also promote the rich and diverse tribal culture of the state; organize independent and mixed programs of various cultural arts and literary forms, supporting and encouraging various cultural institutions and groups that are working to safeguard and promote our culture.
This council will honor and encourage creators for remarkable creative achievements, promote activities related to production and promotion of excellent cinema, and will also undertake responsibility of establishing lively relations with various regional cultural centers, universities in the state and across the country and other cultural and educational institutions such as National School of Drama, Film and Television Institute of India, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, Sahitya Akademi, Lalit Kala Akademi.
Various divisions have been set up for the convenient functioning of Chhattisgarh Culture Council. This includes Sahitya Akademi, Kala Akademi, Adivasi Lok Kala Akademi, Chhattisgarh Film Development Corporation, Chhattisgarh Official Language Commission and Chhattisgarh Sindhi Akademi.
