The three-day ‘Sirpur National Dance and Music Festival’ will begin on Friday at the famous ancient Buddhist archaeological site of Sirpur in Mahasamund district of Chhattisgarh. The mega event will be inaugurated by Ambassador of Vietnam Ton Thanh and Ambassador of lao PDR Southam Sakonhninhom.
Chief Minister Raman Singh will be the chief guest of the inaugural programme. Minister of Tourism and Culture, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj and Parliamentary Affairs Ajay Chandrakar will preside over the programme.
Both inaugural and concluding programmes of the three-day event will be marked by the presence of Mahasamund MP Chandulal Sahu, Mahasamund MlA Dr Vimal Chopra, MlA Saraipali Ramalal, MlA Basna Rupkumari Choudhary, MlA Khallari Chunnilal Sahu and Ex-Minister of Chhattisgarh Government, Poonam Chandrakar as guests of honour on the occasion.
On the occasion, Culture and Tourism Department Secretary RC Sinha and Managing Director of Chhatttisgarh Tourism Board Santosh K Mishra will also be present. Nationally and internationally renowned artists will participate in the mega music festival to mesmerise the audiences with their performances. The festival will conclude on January 18.
On the first day of Sirpur National Dance and Music Festival i.e. on January 16, renowned artists namely Rekha Dewar, Sampariya & group, Grammy Award winner Pete lockett (Taal Chhattisgarh with 60 tribal artists), Kathak exponent Yasmin Singh and group, and Shounak Abisheki with Asha Khandilkar will stage musical and dance performances in the cultural programme. Cultural evening of the second day of the event will be marked by the performances of Maya and Uttam Group (Gaur and Panthi Dance), young maestro Rahul Sharma (Santoor) and group with Rajasthani Folk Musicians- ‘Milap’, leonardo Eto & group (Taiko Drumming of Japan), Anuradha Paudwal and group (devotional songs), and Purnashree Raut & lucky Mohanti troupe (Odissi Dance). On the concluding day of the event on January 18, Tulsi & Batlu group will perform fusion, Saila and Gedi folk dance, living legend Pt Birju Maharaj will stage an extraordinary performance,
Ustad Shujaat Khan (Sitar), Vidwan Vikku Vinayakram (Ghatami),Prasanna (Guitar), George Brooks (Saxophone) will stage performance on ‘Vishnamo’ (Maestros in Harmony—an exclusive concept. It may be recalled that in December last year, Union Minister of State for Tourism and Culture ( Independent Charge) Dr Mahesh Sharma had stated that Sirpur would be part of ‘Buddha Circuit’ under the ambitious project of Union Ministry of Tourism.
Sharma had provided the assurance to Chief Minister Raman Singh during a courtesy meeting with him during his visit to Raipur. The Chief Minster during the meeting had informed Sharma that Sirpur has all those features as a destination that is capable enough to attract tourists from across the globe. Outlining the tourism potential in Chhattisgarh, Singh said that from Surguja till Bastar lie archeological remains depicting State’s rich cultural diversity.
“We would like to request the Union Tourism Ministry for helping the State in preserving the palaces and making them easily accessible to tourists,” he had stated. The Union Minister of State had assured that the Central Government will encourage publicity of Tourism and Culture in Chhattisgarh .The assurance was given by Sharma in a meeting with Chhattisgarh Tourism and Culture Minister Ajay Chandrakar in New Delhi.
The Union Minister of State had expressed interest in development of tourist facilities at Sirpur, Chitrakot, Teerathgarh and Kutumsar cave. He had also expressed interest in the State Government’s proposal for establishment of Multi Arts Chhattisgarh Kala Kendra and Swami Vivekanand International Award.
Chandrakar then had informed Sharma about tourist attractions in Chhattisgarh.He had stated that Sirpur, Chitrakot and biodiversity of the State needs to be promoted globally and requested the Union Minister to provide an opportunity to the folk artists of Chhattisgarh to display their art at national and international platforms. Chandrakar also gave a proposal for organising international tribal festival in Chhattisgarh in 2015.
He stated that more than 32 per cent of the population of the State is tribal dominated and organising tribal festivals will help in preserving their spectacular and diverse culture besides providing opportunity to exchange ideas and cultures with other tribal people of the country. He had also requested for including famous Archeological site Sirpur in the Buddha circuit and for providing assistance in organising and publicity of Sirpur Mahotsava.
In the meeting Chandrakar had also requested for cooperation in lighting arrangement, upgradation of hotel and motel besides starting the Hotel Management Institute at Chitrakot.
The Minister had also made proposals for widespread publicity of Bastar Dussehra, Chitrakot waterfall, Kutumsar cave and Kanger valley national park. From the beginning of human civilization of pre-historic era, Chhattisgarh had been the place of visitation and dwelling of man, proof of which is available in Singhanpur, Kabra Pahad, Basnajhar, Bosalda, Ongna Pahad of Raigarh district and Chitvadongri of Rajnandgaon district.
Different equipments made and used by pre-historic man are available on the banks of Kanhar, Maniyari and Kero rivers. The rock art of Singhanpur and Kabra are specially under debate among pre-historic era rock paintings because of their diversity and style. The beauty of Kutumbsar caves of Bastar are excellent proof of natural sculpture, officials stated.