Home Minister Ramsevak Paikra inaugurated the Chakradhar Samaroh — a national-level art and music festival — at district headquarters Raigarh on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.

He said that this annual event has created a unique identity of Chhattisgarh at national-international level in the field of art and culture. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Raman Singh, the State Government extends every possible aid for all the annual cultural events like Chakradhar Sangeet Samaroh.

The ten-day annual mega music festival is organised by the State Government’s Culture Department in association with Raigarh District Administration and local Social Welfare-Cultural Organisations, on birth anniversary of King Chakradhar Singh (Ganesh Chaturthi)-the great musician of ancient Raigarh territory.

At the onset, in-charge Minister of the district Ramsevak Paikra worshipped lord Ganesh and paid floral tribute to the portrait of Maharaja Chakradhar Singh and he inaugurated the 30th Chakradhar Samaroh by lighting traditional lamps.

On first day of the event, renowned Ghazal Singer Pankaj Udhas mesmerised the audience by presenting beautiful ghazals of famous urdu poets in his melodius voice. Many other famous artists of different genre also staged their music and dance performances in the programme.

In his address to the inaugural programme of the event, Home Minister Paikra said that Maharaja Chakradhar Singh had glorified the name of Chhattisgarh across the country and abroad by nurturing the indigenous music, art and artists of the region. Every year during this 10-day event, Maharaja Chakradhar’s immense contribution in conserving indigenous art, music, literature and sports is commemorated. Reputed and renowned artists of the country feel honored to be a part of this mega music festival. The inaugural session was presided over by MlA Roshan lal Agrawal. Minister Paikra said that Chhattisgarh Government is constructing a magnificent auditorium in Panjri Plant of Raigarh, in the memory of Maharaja Chakradhar Singh. This auditorium will be utilized for organizing art and music related activities in a systematic manner. On the occasion, Minister Paikra inaugurated the painting exhibition by signing the logo of the event.

While presiding over the programme, local MlA Roshanlal Agrawal said that this event is a tremendous celebration of music, dance and art. He said that this event is organized every year since last thirty years and with each passing year, this annual music festival is emerging as an important event on the cultural map of the country.