Chhattisgarh Culture Council will give a new identity to rich cultural heritage of state at national and international level

Raipur: Chhattisgarh is known for its
beautifully rich culture and tradition. The tribal-dominated state is famed for
its multi-ethnic culture comprising varied forms of traditional art and crafts,
folk songs and dances, regional festivals and fairs and amusing cultural fests.
 

Taking a step ahead towards preserving and promoting the rich
cultural heritage of the state, the state government has formed
“Chhattisgarh Culture Council”. This council would establish a new
cultural identity of Chhattisgarh at national-level and would also provide an
opportunity to bring out the hidden talents of the state.

The objective is to preserve, protect and promote the rich
cultural heritage of the state, its literature, language and dialects, folk
music, dance-drama, theatre, art, cinema, tribal and folk arts, and folk
festival besides honoring the subject experts and encouraging them to share
their knowledge and expand their work in this field.

One of the characteristic features of Chhattisgarh state is that
it has been formed on a cultural basis unlike some other states of the country
which have been formed mainly on linguistic basis. Chhattisgarh has made a
significant contribution in the heights that Madhya Pradesh has achieved in the
cultural field. Unfortunately, even years after the formation of Chhattisgarh
state, much work has not been done to preserve its rich vibrant culture and
tradition. After the formation of Mr. Bhupesh Baghel-led government in the
state, consistent efforts are being made for promoting and preserving the
cultural heritage of the state.

Chhattisgarh Culture Council is headed by chief minister Bhupesh
Baghel with culture minister Amarjeet Bhagat as the vice chairman. The work of
the council is unique in its own and in the view of this; people who have a
keen interest in the art-culture and have a special place in the field of arts
have been included in the council as members. The Council will play an
important role to maintain coordination between various units including
Chhattisgarh Official Language Commission, Chhattisgarh Sindhi Academy, Bakshi
Srijan Peeth, Chakradhar Kathak Kendra, NACHA Kendra, and Chhattisgarh Film
Development Corporation.

Surrounded by 7 states, Chhattisgarh is one of the most diverse
states in terms of culture with tribals inhabiting more than one-third of its
population. The state government has also undertaken an initiative to organize
the National Tribal Dance Festival to promote, preserve, and provide a platform
to showcase the rich, vibrant, and state’s unique tribal culture and cultural
exchange among indigenous people coming from across the country and abroad.
This has given the state a special recognition at the international level.

The natives of Chhattisgarh feel proud of its culture with the
meticulous steps taken by the chief minister Bhupesh Baghel promoting
Teej-festival, opening of “Gadh Kalewas” in every district to promote
state’s ethnic food and declaring public holidays on Teeja, Hareli, Chhath
Pooja, International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, Karma Jayanti and
Cherchera Punni-Shakambhari Jayanti.

The newly created Chhattisgarh Culture Council has many
important responsibilities in its basket. These include undertaking initiatives
to identify, promote, preserve and protect cultural heritage, development of
art museums and galleries and constituting national level cultural forums in
the state. Besides, the council will also promote the rich and diverse tribal
culture of the state; organize independent and mixed programs of various
cultural arts and literary forms, supporting and encouraging various cultural
institutions and groups that are working to safeguard and promote our culture.

This council will honor and encourage creators for remarkable
creative achievements, promote activities related to production and promotion
of excellent cinema, and will also undertake responsibility of establishing
lively relations with various regional cultural centers, universities in the
state and across the country and other cultural and educational institutions
such as National School of Drama, Film and Television Institute of India,
Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, Sahitya Akademi, Lalit Kala Akademi.

Various divisions have been set up for the convenient
functioning of Chhattisgarh Culture Council. This includes Sahitya Akademi,
Kala Akademi, Adivasi Lok Kala Akademi, Chhattisgarh Film Development
Corporation, Chhattisgarh Official Language Commission and Chhattisgarh Sindhi
Akademi.