The 9th foundation day series of events had a grand opening on Monday at Madhya Pradesh Tribal Museum.
A photo exhibition, a craft fair and a puppet show under Ulas is being put up at the art gallery.
The day began with Baiga tribal dance by Padmashri Arjun Singh Dhurve, followed with Rai Folk Dance by Padma Shri Ram Sahai Pandey and Ekagra Samavet Dance Natika on Bhili Jalkatha Pithora choreographed by Chandra Madhav Barik.
In Baiga tribal dance performance, artists gave Karma dance performance. Performed to celebrate the arrival of the new crop, the main music of this dance is the beat of the drums, on which the other companions dance. In Baiga community, the harvest is a symbol of the arrival of the gods and also an example of getting the fruits of karma. Karma worship and dance complete the Karma dance.
After this the folk dance Rai Swag was presented by the artists. This dance expresses the joy and gaiety of the people of Bundelkhand. In this dance, the artists dance by singing phagen. The songs of Rai are of many types like Khayal, Swang etc. The chimes of the Ghungroos on the beat of the Mridang and the danced farce accompanying it convey the tradition with entertainment.
The third presentation was a dance drama focused on Bhili Jalkatha Pithora. Pithora is a ritual myth in the Bhil tribe in the Nimar region. This is a character who comes on a horse. Even after the fulfillment of the vow, it is celebrated as a festival. Pithora painting is done by tribal artists of Jhabua, Alirajpur and other states of Madhya Pradesh.
It is believed that Pithora, a youth of the Bhil tribe, brings water from the Himalayas to solve the water crisis and make the entire region happy. Since then this tribe celebrates eight days in the rainy season and worships Pithora. Starting from Jhabua in this presentation, the journey from the Himalayas till the arrival of the water god was described. To make the history of Pithora contemporary in the present time, it was performed in Indian ballet dance style.
All the performamces were wonderfully presented and were fully enjoyed by the audience.