Kumar Bahukhandi
Promotional artwork for the ‘Laughing Bastar’ cartoon workshop, an initiative supported by the Chhattisgarh Department of Public Relations to encourage school students in Jagdalpur to creatively depict Bastar’s culture, tourism, heritage and positive transformation through cartoon art-Image Credit -channel24india.com via CMO
Creative initiative in Jagdalpur to encourage school students to express Bastar’s culture, tourism and development through cartoon art
Raipur: A unique art-based initiative aimed at nurturing young talent while celebrating Bastar’s evolving identity will soon take shape in Jagdalpur, where a special cartoon workshop themed ‘Laughing Bastar’ (Muskurata Bastar) will be organised for school students with the support of the Chhattisgarh Department of Public Relations.
The workshop seeks to encourage students to creatively portray Bastar’s rich tribal heritage, tourism potential, natural beauty and cultural diversity through cartoons and caricatures, offering a fresh artistic perspective on one of Chhattisgarh’s most distinctive regions.
The initiative reflects the vision of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, under whose leadership Bastar is increasingly being projected as a region of peace, development, tourism and cultural pride.
“Creativity has the power to reshape perceptions. Through young artists, Bastar’s story of culture, confidence and progress can reach audiences in an engaging and inspiring way.”
Students participating in the workshop will receive practical training in cartooning and caricature from experienced artists through live demonstrations. The programme will introduce them to the fundamentals of visual storytelling while encouraging them to express social ideas with imagination, humour and originality.
Apart from developing artistic skills, the workshop will also familiarise participants with the educational, creative and professional opportunities available in the field of cartoon and visual communication.
The organisers believe the initiative will provide a valuable platform for local talent while strengthening Bastar’s positive image across the country. Students will be encouraged to create original works inspired by Bastar’s renowned attractions, including Chitrakote Waterfall, Tirathgarh Falls, Kanger Valley National Park, Bastar Dussehra, tribal traditions and everyday community life.
“Every sketch can tell a story. Every cartoon can become a window into Bastar’s rich heritage, vibrant traditions and emerging future.”
By connecting the younger generation with their cultural roots through creative expression, the workshop aims to promote artistic thinking while celebrating the region’s identity in an innovative and accessible manner.
As Bastar continues to emerge as a destination known for tourism, heritage, education and development, the ‘Laughing Bastar’ initiative demonstrates how art can become a powerful medium for changing perceptions and inspiring the next generation.
“When children draw the Bastar they know and love, they create more than artwork—they create a new narrative of hope, heritage and opportunity.”
