Raipur: CM Vishnudev Sai released the logo and theme song of Bastar Pandum 2026 – Keeping an eye on every movement of the media world.

Bastar Pandum is a vibrant platform of our rich tribal culture, folk traditions, art and heritage – Chief Minister Sai

Bastar Pandum 2026 will become a world-class cultural event

Raipur News: With the aim of preserving and promoting the rich tribal culture, art, folk traditions and heritage of Bastar region, ‘Bastar Pandum’ will be organized in the year 2026 also in a grand and attractive form like last year. Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai released the logo and theme song of Bastar Pandum in the temple premises with the blessings of Maa Danteshwari in Dantewada.

On this occasion, Chief Minister Sai while giving hearty congratulations and best wishes for the New Year said that Bastar Pandum is a powerful platform to showcase the cultural heritage of Bastar. He said that today Bastar Pandum 2026 is being inaugurated from this sacred courtyard of Maa Danteshwari. Here the logo and theme song of Bastar Pandum 2026 has been released. Bastar Pandum is not just a festival but the soul of Bastar. It is a living platform of our rich tribal culture, folk traditions, art and heritage.

Chief Minister Sai said that the real identity of Chhattisgarh lies in our tribal traditions. We live these traditions and culture through dance, songs, crafts, cuisine, forest medicines and idols. Last year we started Bastar Pandum. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also came among us on the closing occasion. This year we are also inviting the President, Union Home Minister, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism and ambassadors of various countries posted in India. Last time, the excitement and enthusiasm seen by the people of Bastar regarding Bastar Pandum was unprecedented. This time we are making it more grand, so that the heritage here can make its mark not only at the national but also at the global level.

The Chief Minister said that this year the number of disciplines in the Bastar Pandum competitions has been increased from seven to twelve. These include tribal dances, songs, drama, musical instruments, costumes, jewellery, worship methods as well as crafts, painting, traditional dishes and drinks, regional literature and forest medicines. This time Bastar Pandum competition will be organized in three phases.

Chief Minister Sai said that it is the resolve of our government to preserve the culture of Bastar and pass it on to the new generation. Bastar will no longer just be a center of culture but will also become a symbol of peace, prosperity and development through tourism. He said that the double engine government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is taking Bastar to new heights. This festival shows that Bastar will no longer be identified by struggle, but by creation and celebration.

He urged the people of Bastar and all the artist brothers and sisters to increase the pride of Bastar through their art and participate in the competitions organized under Bastar Pandum in maximum numbers.

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma said that ‘Pandum’ means festival. To increase happiness in Bastar, various festivals (Pandum) are celebrated from time to time. There is a tradition of starting any festival with the blessings of Mother Goddess. In this sequence, Bastar Pandum is being started from the temple complex of Maa Danteshwari. Bastar is full of rich culture. Bastar Pandum 2026 is being organized by incorporating the arts, crafts, dance, music and food of the tribes living here. He said that efforts to establish peace in Bastar are succeeding. Red terror will end by March 2026.

Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap said that the art, culture and tradition of Bastar is a matter of pride. An effort to establish this rich cultural identity at the global level is being made through Bastar Pandum. In mythological times, Lord Shri Ram had spent time in Dandakaranya area during his exile. The government has taken the initiative to preserve cultural diversity in such a sacred area.

Culture Minister Rajesh Aggarwal said that the government is organizing Bastar Pandum for the second consecutive year to promote and preserve the various genres of Bastar region rich in cultural heritage. This year, competitions are being organized in twelve disciplines.

In the program, Chief Minister Sai interacted with senior Manjhi, Chalki, Gaita, priest, prominent people of tribal society and artists decorated with Padma honor of the division in the temple premises itself. Bastar MP Mahesh Kashyap and Dantewada MLA Chaitram Atami also addressed the program. During this time, the traditional leaders of Bastar, Manjhis and community heads also expressed their gratitude to the government for organizing Bastar Pandum.

It is noteworthy that Bastar Pandum 2026 is proposed to be organized in three phases from 10 January 2026 to 5 February 2026. Under this, district level programs will be organized in Bastar division from 10 to 20 January, district level programs from 24 to 29 January and division level programs from 2 to 6 February. Among the genres in which there will be demonstrations and competitions, Bastar tribal dance, songs, drama, musical instruments, costumes and jewellery, worship methods, crafts, painting, tribal beverages, traditional dishes, regional literature and forest medicines are prominent.

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There was also a discussion on inviting Indian ambassadors working in various countries in India especially in Bastar Pandum this time, so that they could be made aware of the unique cultural heritage, traditions and tribal life of Bastar. Besides, it has also been decided to invite high ranking officers resident of Bastar division, officers selected in UPSC and CGPSC, doctors, engineers, senior public representatives and tribal dance troupes from different states of the country.

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This time it is proposed to make arrangements for registration of participants through both online and offline mediums, so that participation of maximum artists and groups can be ensured. It is noteworthy that programs will be organized with the aim of preserving and promoting the arts, crafts, festivals, food, dialect, jewellery, traditional musical instruments, dance-songs, drama, regional literature, forest medicine and Devgudis of Bastar region.

Under this, the event will be organized in three phases in 1,885 gram panchayats, 32 district panchayats, 8 municipalities, 12 nagar panchayats and 1 municipal corporation area of ​​seven districts of Bastar division. The Department of Culture and Official Language has been designated as the nodal department for this event.

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On this occasion, MP Mahesh Kashyap, Dantewada MLA Chaitram Atami, Bastar IG Sundarraj P., Culture Department Secretary Rohit Yadav, DIG Kamlochan Kashyap, Collector Devesh Kumar Dhruv, Superintendent of Police Gaurav Rai and other public representatives and officers were present.