Bastar Pandum will prove to be a milestone in establishing peace in Bastar: Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai
There will be an opportunity to know and understand the real life of Bastar
Bastar Pandum 2025: A grand festival of folk culture and traditions
Bastar Pandum is a unique initiative to preserve the cultural heritage of Bastar
Raipur, March 12, 2025: The people of Bastar live every moment of life like a festival and they have a rich cultural heritage to express their happiness. We are rapidly moving forward to establish peace in Bastar and through Bastar Pandum, along with preserving the folk life and folk culture of Bastar, we will participate in their festive spirit. Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai today unveiled the logo of Bastar Pandum 2025 in the presence of artists dancing to the beats of Mandar in the committee room located in the Assembly premises and said these things. Extending his best wishes for the successful organisation of Bastar Pandum, he said that this event will take the cultural heritage to the new generation and will provide a strong platform to the talented artists of Bastar. On this occasion, the Chief Minister released the booklet of Bastar Pandum. Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai said that after the formation of our government, the development of Bastar and connecting the people there to the mainstream has been our top priority. We have rapidly taken steps towards making Bastar free from Maoism. He said that the people of Bastar have participated enthusiastically in the Bastar Olympics and the recently held Abujhmad Peace Half Marathon. This shows that the trust of the people of Bastar has constantly increased towards the government and they want peace and tranquility in the region. Chief Minister Sai said that in the budget, we have taken a big decision to open a hospital in Purvarti village, which was affected by Naxalite violence. Through the Niyyad Nella Nar Yojana, we are rapidly fulfilling the basic needs of the people of Bastar.
The Chief Minister said that the people of Bastar are known for their simplicity and celebrate every occasion in their own special way. Through Bastar Pandum, the real life of Bastar will be seen more closely. He said that competitions will be organized in 7 different disciplines including dance, song, folk art, folk culture, drama, crafts, customs, tradition and cuisine in Bastar Pandum. Say said that there should be prosperity in Bastar, people should live fearlessly in their own way and they should get the benefit of all the facilities of the government. On this occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap, Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam, MLA Kiran Dev, MLA Ms. Lata Usendi, MLA Vinayak Goyal, Culture Department Secretary Anbalgan P. and Director Culture Vivek Acharya were present. The logo of Bastar Pandum is showing the identity of Bastar. The logo of Bastar Pandum depicts the folk life of Bastar in a lively form and it is deeply connected to their cultural identity. An attempt has been made to show the heritage of Bastar in a very artistic way. “Bastar Pandum” is a Gondi word which means the festival of Bastar. The logo includes the Indravati river, the lifeline of Bastar, Chitrakoot waterfall, the state animal of Chhattisgarh, the wild buffalo, the state bird of the hill myna, bison horn crown, trumpet, drum, sulphi and toddy tree. Through this logo, the unique Bastar, which is simple, easy and full of hope, can be easily known and understood.
The event will focus on 07 major genres including dance, song. In “Bastar Pandum 2025”, competitions related to tribal dance, song, drama, musical instruments, traditional costumes and jewellery, crafts-painting and tribal cuisine and traditional drink will be organized. These competitions will be held in three stages. District level competition will be held from 12 to 20 March, District level competition from 21 to 23 March, Division level competition will be held in Dantewada from 1 to 3 April. Special prizes and certificates will be given to the participants at each level. Events based on folk life and traditions of Bastar will be the main attraction. Bastar Pandum will have a spectacular display of traditional dance style, songs, customs, costumes, jewellery and traditional cuisine of Bastar. The performance of the contestants will be given marks on the basis of originality, traditionalism and presentation. Community leaders, public representatives and senior citizens will be invited as special guests in the event. A special committee has been formed for the selection of the winners of the competition, which will include administrative officials as well as senior chiefs, priests and experienced artists of the tribal society. This will maintain transparency in the competition and traditional folk art will get justice.
