Bastar (Chhattisgarh) [India], February 27 (HBTV): The Bastar Pandum Festival, organised by the Chhattisgarh Government, has drawn large crowds eager to witness Bastar's traditional handicrafts, tribal arts, folk costumes and local products.
The festival was inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu and showcased the region’s rich tribal heritage through its distinctive handicrafts, traditional foods, tribal dances and folk song performances.
Speaking to ANI, Somaru Ram Kawasi, a member of the judging panel who evaluated various food items presented at the festival, highlighted the authenticity of the dishes on display.
“There’s a dish here, a kind of fermented drink that we call ‘kal’ and in Dhurua it is known as ‘mel’. All the traditional dishes that are made in villages and are authentic are being assessed here,” he said.
He underlined the cultural importance of the festival in preserving Bastar’s age-old traditions.
“It feels great because it represents our old traditions. A dish made with just salt, chilli and tamarind, without any oil, tastes delicious. It is prepared using rice and flour,” he added.
Participant Nisha Nag spoke about the variety of traditional beverages and food items showcased at the event.
“We have more than 40 types of beverages here and have brought 10 types of traditional porridges. I am very grateful to Bastar Pandum. These items were consumed in earlier times. We are now able to eat them again and showcase them here. Some had nearly disappeared. With the support of the district administration and the state government, we have the opportunity to revive and present them,” she said.
Folk artist Shanu Markandey expressed gratitude to the Tribal Development Department for providing a platform to promote Bastar’s culture.
“I want to thank the Assistant Commissioner of the Tribal Development Department for inviting us to such a grand platform. Our five-minute performance was a blend of Bastar culture. It included prayers to our revered Mother Goddess Danteshwari, devotional and folk songs, and concluded with the Chherchera festival, one of the prominent festivals of Bastar,” he said.
He also stressed the need for sustained efforts to preserve cultural heritage.
“The government should continue organising such events and create a dedicated department to preserve and promote traditions that are gradually becoming extinct. Researchers from Jagdalpur and Bastar districts, many of international calibre, should also be involved in such initiatives,” he added.
Folk artist Sangeeta Markam, who performed before the President, described the experience as a milestone.
“We feel very proud. Performing in front of the President was a great achievement and one of the biggest accomplishments of our lives. If we allow the traditions passed down by our ancestors to disappear, future generations will not know what life was like earlier. We are making every effort to preserve and showcase our old customs and traditional attire,” she said.
(ANI)