July 1, 2023 will be historic for Shahdol district. On this day, illustrious Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi will apprise himself with the local tribal culture and traditions of the district. Prime Minister Shri Modi will sit on a cot and interact with tribal community, players of football revolution, lakhpati didis of self-help groups and others in the desi style. Pioneering, Prime Minister will enjoy Kodo, Bhaat-Kutki Kheer while sitting on the ground with the tribal community. The entire event will be as per Indian tradition and culture. Millets are greatly prioritized in the Prime Minister’s banquet. Preparations for the Prime Minister’s dinner are going on in full swing at Jaldi Tola in Pakaria village.
Pakaria village is amazing and unforgettable. Life in the village moves like a rainbow, spreading its beauty with its natural innocence and smile Pakaria is a village covered with dense forest, where the winds blowing from sal, teak, mahua, kaner, mango, peepal, vine, jackfruit, bamboo and other trees glorify the village. The glorious silver-bright streams of the Sone river, flows rhythmically down the hills like melodious lines of folk songs.
4700 people reside in Pakaria village, in which 2200 people exercise franchise. There are 700 houses in the village belonging to the tribal community, in which 250 belong to the Gond community, 255 belong to the Baiga community, 200 belong to the Kol community, 10 belong to the Panika community and people from other communities reside. There are 3 hamlets in Pakaria village, which include Jaldi Tola, Samada Tola and Sarkari Tola.
The Baghelkhand-Shikhar dane to the Dhol, Mandar, Gudum, Timki, Dahki, Mati Mandar, Thali, Ghanti, Kundi, Thiski, Flute on the beat of chutkulas, Fefaria and Shehnai accompanying Bhil, Gond, Kol, Korku, Baiga, Sahariya, Bhariya etc. like tribal youth. The dance-music of the tribes is an imitation of these leelas-mudras of nature.
The tribal community of Pakaria village is amazing and unique also because the customs, food and lifestyle of the tribes here are the most different. Tribal communities often live in the proximity of nature. This is precisely the reason why nature’s rhythm, tal and raag-virag flow in their bodies like blood. The swaying of trees and the natural dance of insects inspire the tribes to dance. The rustle of the wind, the thunder of the clouds, the flash of lightning, the pitter-patter of rain, the flying birds, all these are the motivating elements of their dance-music.
It may be said that dance and music are the artistic presentation of the tender most feelings of man. These are also a symbol of ultimate expression of faith in the form of Devarchan of the tribes. Dance-music is an integral part of tribal lifestyle. It is also a regular practice to convert their day-long fatigue into joy.
Dance styles like Karma, Saila, Bhadauni, Birha, Kaharwa, Dadriya, Sua etc. are prevalent in the Gond tribal group in the village. The expressions/mudras of ‘Sajni’ song-dance of the Gond community are miraculous. Their Diwali dance is also unique. Mandar, Timki, Gudum, Nagada, Jhanjh, Manjira, Khadtal, Singbaja, Bansuri, Algojha, Shehnai, Bana, Chikara, Kindri etc. are the favorite instruments of this community.
Dussehra dance is performed with Baiga, Mati Mandar and Nagade accompanied by Karma, Jharpat and Dhol. They perform Bilma dance on the occasion of marriage. The Parghoni dance performed to welcome the baraat is a treat to the eye. There is a unique use of masks in Chherta dance drama. Their dance costumes and ornaments are also special.