Reported by : Suchit Kumar Maravi
Kargi Kala : The four-day Raman Lok Kala Mahotsav commenced on Thursday at , bringing together folk artists from across India to present diverse traditions centred on . Scheduled from February 13 to 16, the festival’s theme this year is ‘Lok Mein Ram’ (Ram in Folk Culture).
Artists from Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Assam showcased regional expressions through music, dance, theatre and narrative forms, illustrating episodes from Ram’s life as preserved in local traditions.
Chairperson of the State Child Protection Commission, Dr Varnika Sharma, the chief guest, said Ram should be understood not merely as a subject of discourse but as a way of life, emphasising values of restraint, sacrifice and ethical conduct. Beltrala MLA Sushant Shukla highlighted lessons of discipline, organisation and respect for public sentiment drawn from Ram’s life.
Presiding over the event, Chancellor and senior litterateur Santosh Choubey spoke on the centrality of Ram in Indian culture, noting that over 300 versions of the Ramayana exist across the country and beyond, including Southeast Asia. He announced the launch of a ‘Dharohar Project’ to document and preserve Chhattisgarh’s folk arts, literature and life practices, along with the establishment of a Centre for Tribal Research at the university.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Pradeep Kumar Ghosh underlined the institution’s focus on holistic education rooted in culture and folk knowledge, while Registrar Dr Arvind Kumar Tiwari said the university is working to globalise indigenous knowledge through continuous innovation.
A parallel academic session deliberated on Chhattisgarh’s folk arts and folk theatre, with theatre director Rakesh Tiwari, folk artist Mant Ram Yadav and Devar singer Rekha Dewar sharing insights. Performances included Karma dance, Manas Gaan, Chhattisgarhi theatre, Pandwani narration and Bharathari singing, drawing wide appreciation.
Government and non-government organisations also set up stalls at the venue to disseminate information on schemes and products, while students presented models highlighting the university’s academic initiatives.
