Chhattisgarh’s tableau depicting ‘Bastar Dussehra’ is ready to mesmerise chief guest US President Barack Obama at Rajpath during the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on January 26.The tableau on Thursday was showcased to the national media by Union Defence Ministry during a press preview at RR Camp in the national capital.
Total of 34 tribal dancers, who will be accompanying the tableau, also performed Maria dance in front of the mediapersons. A team of artisans and officials of the Chhattisgarh Public Relations department had been working round-the-clock at the camp site for one month for the final rollout after the tableau was selected for the Republic Day parade, 2015.
The front-side of the tableau beautifully depicts a giant model of ‘Bison-horn Maria’ and replica of Goddess Danteshwari Devi, while the rear part shows the chariot bearing a primitive look and a ritual in which people are seeking permission for starting the ‘Yatra’ from a girl belonging to ‘Mirgin-Mahara, scheduled caste.
The most famous festival of Chhattisgarh, ‘Bastar Dussehra’ is quite distinct from the celebrations of Dussehra in other parts of the country owing to its unconventional rituals. It is devoted to the Goddess, Danteshwari Devi and not associated with the triumphant return of lord Rama to Ayodhaya or Ravana.
The underlying spirit of participation, cutting across caste and creed that prevails is the distinctive feature of this 76-day long festival. People belonging to varied castes and tribes participate in the festival and each community is assigned a specific task which specific communities have been performing since decades.
Out of 28 States, only 16 States, including Chhattisgarh will be able to take part in Republic Day parade. The tableau will give international recognition to the 532-years-old historic Dussehra festival of Bastar and people across the world will be able to know about the unique and affluent culture of Chhattisgarh.