The tableaux depicting world famous ‘Bastar Dussehra’ celebrations has been selected for representing Chhattisgarh in the Republic Day on Jan 26, 2015 in New Delhi in which US President Barack Obama has given his consent to be the chief guest.
Chhattisgarh Government officials informed that Bastar Dussehra tableaux was selected by experts from Defense Ministry for procession on Rajpath after rigorous selection process lasting over a period of three months.
Chief Minister Raman Singh has expressed happiness over the selection and said that this would give ‘Bastar Dussehra’ celebrations a global identity.
Principal Secretary, Public Relations, Amitabh Jain informed that Bastar Dussehra, as theme for Republic Day procession representing Chhattisgarh was picked considering that this will help people from other parts of world in knowing about the unique and special culture of Bastar. This will be helpful in promoting tourism in the State, he said.
Meanwhile, Director, Public Relations, Rajat Kumar informed that the selection process of tableaux had begun from the month of September this year. The 3D design, music and other aspects of tableaux were evaluated at different levels by the officials in New Delhi after which only it was approved for the R-day parade.
“The tableaux will have 30 dance groups who will present folk dances of Chhattisgarh before President Pranab Mukherjee, US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said.
Notably Bastar Dusserha is a historical celebration which lasts for 76 days and has history of about 532 years. Interestingly Bastar Dueeshra is not related with ‘Ravan Vadh’ but is celebrated in the form of chariot pulling by tribal people.