Kumar Bahukhandi
Raipur: President Smt. Droupadi Murmu, who arrived to grace the inaugural ceremony of Bastar Pandum, today visited a grand exhibition based on the essence of Bastar and its ancient tribal traditions.
During her visit, the President toured various stalls and obtained detailed information about the displayed arts and products from the local residents and artisans present there.
President Murmu described Bastar Pandum as a powerful medium for preserving tribal heritage and showcasing it to the entire world. She observed and appreciated the attractive exhibitions based on Dhokra handicraft art, terracotta, wood carving, sisal art, bamboo art, iron craft, tribal attire and jewelry, Tumba art, Bastar tribal paintings, local cuisine, and folk paintings.
At the Bastar Pandum venue, a special display of items made using Dhokra art was featured in the tribal handicraft exhibition. This handicraft utilises the lost-wax casting technique. It is an ancient tribal metal art of India, which clearly reflects nature, deities, and rural life. Each Dhokra piece is entirely handmade. Samadi clay, beeswax, wire, brass, a hot furnace, and cleaning machines are used in its creation. Figures made of clay, showcasing local terracotta art, were also displayed, vividly representing folk beliefs, rural life, and traditional customs.
The exhibition also featured a vibrant expression of cultural and religious traditions through wood carving art. Teak, Bija, Sivnar, and Sal wood are used to make the wooden sculptures, with artisans carving intricate designs using traditional tools. Similarly, the President also observed jute fabrics and other handicrafts made using sisal art. Another stall showcased traditional and utilitarian items made from bamboo. The wrought iron artwork also particularly captivated the President.
The stall displaying tribal jewelry attracted the President’s special attention. This stall featured handcrafted tribal jewelry made from silver, pearls, conch shells, and various metals. These ornaments symbolize the identity, social traditions, and cultural heritage of the tribal communities.
Traditional musical instruments and decorative items made from dried gourds, under the Tumba Art category, were also on display. At the tribal attire and jewelry stall, the traditional clothing and ornaments of the major tribes of the Bastar region—Dandami Madia, Abujhmaria, Muria, Bhatra, and Halba—were showcased by young men and women from the respective tribes.
President Murmu also visited a vibrant exhibition of tribal paintings at the Bastar Pandum venue. This exhibition presented a vivid glimpse into tribal life, nature, and traditions through the art of Bastar. Bastar art depicts forests, folk deities, festivals, and daily life using simple colors and symbols. This art form is an important means of preserving a cultural heritage passed down through generations.
The local cuisine stall displayed food items and beverages used in the daily life of the tribal communities. Traditional dishes such as Jondhari Lai ke Laddu, Jondhra, Mandia Pej, Amta, Chapda Chutney, Bhenda Chutney, Kulthi Dal, Pan Bobo, and Tikur were displayed, along with beverages like Landa and Sulfi.
The exhibition of folk paintings related to daily life showcased photographs depicting the culture and history of Bastar, its natural beauty, folk life, and traditions, along with literature related to the tribal society and folk culture of Bastar.
