Chief Minister Raman Singh on Saturday evening inaugurated a three-day national dance and music festival at Sirpur, the capital of Dakshin Kosal of ancient India, on the bank of Chhattisgarh’s lifeline, the Mahanadi.
Addressing the function, the Chief Minister said that Sirpur was the uniting place of different cultural streams and traditions of the country. The historic cultural tradition of Sirpur was based on social harmony. It was an inspirational example for the world, including India, he added. Singh said that there were an assimilation of different cultures of 6th and 7th century and even before, including Shaiv, Vaishnav, Boudh and Jain traditions and folk culture of Chhattisgarh in the historic area. Despite different worshipping systems, wonderful communion of social harmony could be seen in this place, he added.
While welcoming the Ambassador of Korean republic, lee Jung Yyu, who was specially present at the inaugural function of festival, the Chief Minister said that the ancient Boudh cultural memorial in Sirpur is the centre of attraction for tourists from the Boudh-populated countries of Korea and Sri lanka.
The Chief Minister released a book on the historic and cultural specialties of Sirpur, published by the Korean Embassy in India, with the assistance of Chhattisgarh Tourism Board. Besides, the Chief Minister dedicated and performed bhumi poojan for different construction works costing about Rs 59 crore under different schemes of the state government for the development of Sirpur.
Presiding over the inaugural function, Tourism and Culture Minister Ajay Chandrakar, shed light on the objectives of the three-day national dance and music festival at Sirpur. Assembly speaker Dharamlal Kaushik, MP from Mahasamund Chandulal Sahu, Khallari MlA Chunnilal Sahu, Mahasamund MlA Dr Vimal Chopra, Basna MlA Rupkumari Choudhary, District Panchayat President Sarla Kosariya, Janpad president Chhaya Chandrakar, Municipal chairperson Rashi Mahilang, people’s representatives and citizens in large number were present at the function.
On the first day of the festival Chhattisgarh’s Karma and Panthi dances were presented. Famous Bharthari singer of the state Suroojbai Khande presented Bharthari recital. The audience lavished praise on the presentation of ‘Atulya Bharat’ based on the attractive folk dances of India.