Chhattisgarh boasts of a rich cultural heritage
amidst crusty cuisine, vivacious dances, great religions, melodious
music, lively people, amiable languages, sparkling fairs &
festivals, and marvelous arts & crafts. Its unique approach towards
dance, cuisine, and music, make it different from others. Perhaps all
this and the relevant profile have made Chhattisgarh - the preferred
choice of anthropologists and sociologists. To be honest, the eastern
parts of Chhattisgarh are influenced by the Oriya culture.
Cuisine
Rice is the staple diet in the state which is complemented by pulses,
cereals, vegetables, fruits, and meat products. The tribal population
enjoys delicacies comprised of fish, pork, red ants, flying ants,
squirrels, field rats, and wild mushrooms & plants. Throughout the
state, a brew made of small, creamy white fruit of a local tree called ‘mahuwa’
is very much popular.
Religion
Hinduism is the major religion practiced in Chhattisgarh. However, the
state has a significant number of Muslims and Buddhists as well. Besides
them, the tribal have their own set of beliefs and customs. Due to the
influence of early missionaries, many of the tribes converted into
Christians. The other religious sects, such as, Satnami, Kabirpanth,
Ramnami Samaj, etc, that have emerged from caste-based Hinduism, also
fourish in Chhattisgarh.
People
The majority of the state’s population belongs to tribal
communities, like Gonds, Kanwar, Brinjhwar, Bhaina, Bhatra, Oraon,
Munda, Kamar, Halba, Baiga, Sanwra, Kowa, Bharia, Nageshia, Manghwar,
Kharia, and Dhanwar. These people love to ornament themselves with
items, such as, cowries, beads, shells, bones, feathers, etc. Apart from
the tribal, many people of Chhattisgarh actually belong to the
neighboring states.
Dance
Chhattisgarh is a reservoir of talent. Since ages, dance and performing
arts have been practiced here. Where Raut Nacha is the folk dance of
cowherds, Panthi ‘Karma’ and Soowa dance forms are popular all
over the state. Local dances and dramas, for example, Pandavani, Panthi
Dance, Nacha, Gond, and Muria are performed at the state fairs and
festivals. Pandavani is an ancient style of story telling; actually it’s
a musical narration of the epic - Mahabharata.
Music
Music forms an inseparable part of the state’s entertaining
culture. The rich traditional folk songs that are exclusive mentioned
are sohar, bihav, and pathoni. While Sohar songs are associated with
child birth, Bihav songs are linked with marriage celebration. The
songs, like Chulmati, Telmati, Maymouri, Nahdouri, Parghani, Bhadoni,
etc, form the major part of Bihav songs. Pathoni songs are related to
Gouna, which is the local term for the departure of bride to bridegroom’s
home.
Language
Chhattisgarhi is the local dialect of Hindi language in Chhattisgarh. It
is spoken Aryan dialect, though it has considerable vocabulary and
linguistic features of Munda and Dravidian languages. Besides
Chhattisgarhi, about 93 dialects or languages are spoken in the state.
Each of these dialects uses the Devanagari script of Hindi regardless of
their language group. Hindi, Oriya and Marathi are also commonly used in
Chhattisgarh.
Fairs & Festivals
The people of Chhattisgarh celebrate each and every event with
cheerfulness. Different fairs & festivals that are synonymous to
this state are Bhagoriya Festival, Bhoramdeo Mahotsav, Chakradhar
Festival, Dussehra Festival, Goncha Festival, Hariyali Kora Navakhani,
Kajari Festival, Madai Festival, Narayanpur Mela, Rajim Lochan Mahotsav,
and Sheorinarayan Fair. The harmony amongst people from different
communities and sects cheers up through such grand celebrations.
Arts & Crafts
The arts & crafts of Chhattisgarh truly represent the dexterity of
its artisans. Amazing wood carvings, bamboo work/furniture, bell metal
handicraft, figures of terracotta, tribal jewelry, paintings, and clay
pieces are some of the specialties from the state. The authentic
handicrafts, like any other element of culture, are really mesmerizing.
If truth be told, Chhattisgarh is a place to behold the ancient as well
as refined form of arts & crafts.
