Rikhi Kshatriya, a senior technician in Bhilai Steel Plant’s Convertor Shop, who has earned quite a name in folk-art performances with his rare collection of folk music instruments, presented a headgear to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that members of Madia tribe from Dantewada district in Bastar region wear during their folk dance called ‘Gaud Nritya’ on January 27 this year at Trimurti Bhavan in New Delhi.
A day earlier at the nation’s Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi, Rikhi had performed ‘Gaud Nritya’ alongside the tableau of Chhattisgarh along with his 35-member troupe of performers. For his performance, Rikhi was felicitated with a 24 carat gold plated brass artware handed over by the Prime Minister himself at Trimurti Bhavan, a BSP Press release issued here on Tuesday stated.
On February 27 this year, Rikhi was congratulated for his achievements by BSP Chief Executive Officer (CEO) S Chandrasekaran in his office at Ispat Bhavan. Also present were lT Sherpa, ED (P&A). Rikhi’s rare collection of folk music instruments includes 164 folk music instruments gathered over almost two decades by scouting all the districts of Chhattisgarh.
Not only does he collect and play the folk music instruments, Rikhi also makes these instruments. With 35 men including himself in his troupe from places like Dallirajhara, Dongargaon, Gandai, Dhamtari, Khairagarh, Rikhi plays all the instruments himself.
Well-researched in folk performances of tribals of the State of Chhattisgarh, Rikhi has prepared his troupe to present as many as 56 tribal folk dances.
The ‘Gaud nritya’ presentation alongside the tableau of Chhattisgarh at the Republic Day celebrations this year was the sixth time that Rikhi and his troupe participated in the State’s tableau presentation at the Republic Day celebrations in in New Delhi.
He first participated in year 2005 and has since taken part in the celebrations of 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012. Rikhi himself plays a crucial role in the impressive Republic Day tableau presentations of Chhattisgarh. This year’s presentation of ‘Gaud nritya’ is a tribal dance that tribal youth in Dantewada region of the state perform to impress young women of the tribe.
While he himself was perched on the tableau-stage, his troupe performed alongside as the tableau moved before the dignitaries, guests and audience. In the year 2012 also, Rikhi was felicitated for his Republic Day folk dance performance by former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.
Kshatriya who was given the platform by BSP initially at the Chhattisgarh lok Kala Mahotsav organised by the Plant every year, has performed at over three dozen places and has been honoured by the Government of India’s Cultural Department besides a fellowship and the Chhattisgarh Government’s Gaurav Samman and lok Kala Sadhak Samman.
Rikhi says that he in fact gives a lot of thought on any subject or theme that he is asked to present. When he met the former President Dr Abdul Kalam in Raj Bhavan on January 27, 2004, Rikhi played the ancient folk instrument, the tambura before presenting Dr Kalam the instrument. On April 30, 2005, Rikhi Kshatriya performed at Raj Bhavan in Raipur before the then Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh at a cultural programme.
On April 30, 2005, he presented taalvaidya, with all his troupe members playing the instrument, daffda. After performing, Rikhi presented a daffda to to Dr Manmohan Singh at Raj Bhavan.