The Bhopalites enjoyed the folk singing at Madhya Pradesh State Tribal Museum here on Friday. Pandwani singer Shantibai Chelak from Chhattisgarh gave a spontaneous performance before the audience. Pandwani is a Chhattisgarhi folk songs style. Which means Pandav Vani means Pandav Katha. It narrates the story of the Pandavas of the epic Mahabharata, in which the valour and other plots of all the main characters are sung in a distinctive singing style. This singing tradition filled with soulful acting and friendly efforts has made its mark. These stories are a reflection of the charanga of Chhattisgarh and the singing tradition of the Dewar castes.
Chelak presented the Pandavani of Gadaparva, in which the scene of the mace battle between Bhima and Duryodhana in the epic 'Mahabharata' is presented through Lokagayan, in which Duryodhana and his wife Bhanumati communicate after the end of the eighteen-day war, Mother Gandhari presents the scene from blessing Duryodhana to Duryodhana slaughter through Pandavani singing in his familiar style. Shantabai Chelak has been continuously presenting Pandavani folk songs for the last forty years. He took the education of folk songs from his father Asharam Baghel. She has performed at various prestigious forums in the country. You have received the Guru Ghasidas Chetna Award from the state of Chhattisgarh.On the stage Chelak was accompanied by Rajiv and Lakhanlal in Manjere and Sahagyan, Awadharam on Harmonium, Shivlal on Tabla, Nilesh on Benal, Vishram on Benzo and Pancharam on Manjira.