29th December 2023

“Chaiti carries the colour of tribal culture and tradition.”

- "Dharitri"

The Rayagada district celebrates the Chaiti festival during the winter season, which is a major cultural festival of the district. The second evening of the festival started with a Dhemsa dance by small children of the Survi Group. Dr. Arvind Padhi, South West DIG Charan Singh Meena, District Collector and District Cultural Officer Swadhadev Singh, Additional District Collector Bhaskar Raita, and Chief Executive Officer Nihar Ranjan Kaher were the chief guests. District Information and Public Relations Officer Basant Kumar Pradhan invited the chief guests to the stage. Later, Deputy Collector Kalyani Sanghamitra Devi welcomed the invited guests with a welcome address. In his speech, Dr. Padhi said, “Chaiti Manch carries the culture and tradition of the tribe at the social level.” He also pointed out that due to climate change, the winter season is not as cold as before.

Therefore, in terms of climate and environmental protection, District Secretary Dr. Sudhadev Singh from the Agriculture Department has advised everyone to be aware. South West DIG Charan Singh Meena said that Chaiti Manch has played a major role in bringing together the folk arts, traditions, and heritage of the tribals of the district and in creating identity in the state, country, and internationally. He also mentioned that it was the main medium in exploring the hidden talent of the district artists, young women, and youth. After the speeches, all the guests were introduced to the stage, and the cultural program started. School students performed a beautiful dance on Radhakrishna.

Courtesy - Ashish Ranjan Panda

The program was hosted by Pupinder Singh and Vidisha Satapathy. It included Gayatri Art Institute, Koli Dance of Maharashtra, and many other artists performing the Dhemsa dance in Chaiti stage. At the end of the second evening, the audience danced to the songs of Ollywood singer Nadiya. All the artists were honored at the end. The District Information and Public Relations Officer conducted the main stage while others assisted.