Participation of 1946 folk artists from all corners of Maharashtra
(from our representative)
Chandrapur: On the eve of Shri Ram Navami, Chandrapur filled with Rammay experienced a veritable procession of folk artists. Shri Ramachandra was welcomed by traditional arts with the participation of about two thousand folk artists from all corners of Maharashtra. State Forest and Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar expressed the feeling that folk art was receiving “royal patronage”.
A grand ceremony of sending teak wood from Chandrapur for the construction work of Lord Shri Ram temple in Ayodhya was held at Ballarpur today. Folk artists from all over Maharashtra and surrounding districts including neighboring states participated in Kashta Pujan and procession in Chandrapur. Chandrapur and Ballarpur had a traditional atmosphere everywhere. And folk artists worked to add color to this atmosphere. Folk artists from Vidarbha, Konkan, Western Maharashtra participated enthusiastically. Apart from this, the folk artistes of the south were also attracting the attention of the devotees. Tribal folk art including Dholtasha Mandal and Bhajan Group, Tribal Toor Dance, Tarpa Dance, Dhangari Tof, Dashavatar, Konkan Palkhi, Tribal Dance, Banjara Dance, Dakshini Dhingli, Gusadi Traditional Dance of Chandrapur, Songi Mask were performed on the occasion. Apart from this, traditional martial arts and games like danapatta, sword, mallakhamb were also performed by the players.
Quality artistes from across the state entered for this festival in Ballarpur and Chandrapur. Devotees got a unique gift when nationally renowned artists in various folk arts and folk art troupes entered Chandrapur district.
The first consignment of teak wood for the Ram temple was placed on a chariot decorated with flower petals and Ram Arun Govil, Sita Deepika Chikhlia as well as Laxman Sunil Laheri from the Ramayana serial worshiped the wood.
