The grand event of the National Tribal Dance Festival and Rajyotsava at Science College Ground in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, kicked off amid much excitement and exuberance on Tuesday, November 1. The three-day cultural extravaganza celebrating the tribal way of life will be held between November 1 and 3. Tribal dance groups from several Indian states and union territories are participating in the event, along with some foreign guests, who will represent and celebrate their own respective tribal folk cultures.
Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel mentioned that the history of dance is as old as the history of man. "It is a beautiful coincidence that there are many similarities in the style and rhythm of tribal dances worldwide," he said. Baghel also added that the objective of the National Tribal Dance Festival is to preserve primitive culture of the state.
As many as 1500 tribal artists from nine countries-Mozambique, Mongolia, Tongo, Russia, Indonesia, Maldives, Serbia, New Zealand, and Egypt, and all the states and union territories of India are set to participate in the National Tribal Dance Festival.
The parade of artists from India and other countries began on the band tune of "Saare Jahan Se Achcha." Togo artists dressed in green, yellow, and red robes with their national flag joined the parade with their traditional musical instruments.
Leader of the Mongolian team Enkhbold Tumurbaatar said on the occasion that they are determined to win the hearts of the people of Chhattisgarh and other states of India and abroad with their art and culture. "It is an honour for all of us to participate in this tribal dance festival as the cultural representative of Mongolia," he added.
The traditional Russian dance is an integral part of the country's culture. The Russian folk dances imitate the movements of animals and birds and reflect the labour processes such as sowing, reaping, and weaving. These dances keep traces of peasants' everyday life and religious beliefs.
The CM also added that when they started the National Tribal Dance Festival, they wanted take their cultural beauty to the whole world through this platform. But the first event was so successful that today its scale has become immense.