As the nation prepares for its 75th Republic Day, many States are ready to showcase their unique traditions and cultures via their respective tableaus, which will be showcased at the Kartavya Path on Friday, January 26. Grabbing attention among them is the tableau from the tribal-dominated State of Chhattisgarh.
The tableau, which showcases a woman at the forefront, indicating the strong influence of women in the tribal society is named Bastar ki Aadim Jansansad (Primitive People’s Parliament of Bastar).
The eye-catching tableau of the State this time will depict the age-old “Muria Darbar”, a gathering of the Janjati people to discuss community issues and welfare initiatives. The tradition, which has been an integral part of the tribal heartland of Bastar for centuries, reflects the democratic consciousness of the Janjati community since primitive times.
The Darbar, which has been an unalienable part of the concluding ceremony of the two and a half-month-long Bastar Dusshera, which has already won accolades from all quarters, is considered among the most praised and much celebrated gatherings of the tribal people in the region.
The tradition of the Muria Darbar, which was basically a gathering of the tribal people in which collective decisions were used to be taken to look after the issues and overall welfare of society, was prevalent until around 600 years ago, suggesting the belief of tribal people in democratic values since primitive times when even the concept of democracy was alien to most of the current democratic nations.
The Darbar tradition, which traces its roots near Limau Raja in Kondagaon district, symbolises an ancient time of lemon kingship where decisions used to be made with the collective consciousness of the people.
The tableau has been chosen in line with the theme of this year’s Republic Day celebration, i.e. “Bharat is the mother of democracy,” reflecting the rich traditions of democratic values in ancient Bharat. The tableau will also depict State of arts and handicrafts depicting the culturally rich tribal society.
Reacting to the development, the State’s Chief Minister while taking to the X, said that the tableau of Bastar has stolen the show. It’s a matter of pride that the Muria Darbar of Jagdalpur and Limau Raja of Bade Dongar will be featured in the republic day parade at Kartavya Path in New Delhi.
"बस्तर की झांकी का बजा डंका"
यह हम सभी के लिए गर्व की बात है कि नई दिल्ली कर्तव्यपथ में गणतंत्र दिवस की परेड में छत्तीसगढ़ के जगदलपुर के 'मुरिया दरबार एवं बड़े डोंगर के लिमऊ राजा' की झांकी चलेगी।
यह अत्यंत हर्ष का विषय है कि छत्तीसगढ़ के बस्तर की आदिवासी अस्मिता एवं संस्कृति को… pic.twitter.com/451eGhN9Or
— Vishnu Deo Sai (@vishnudsai) January 23, 2024
It’s really a matter of intense happiness that the national media is all praise of Muria Darbar, which includes the pride and culture of the tribal people of Bastar, Chhattisgarh. Read the rough translation of CM’s post further.
It is worth mentioning that the State of Chhattisgarh carries an age-old legacy of the tribal people who have been residing in one of the remotest terrain in the Indian Subcontinent with their unique set of culture and traditions since ages.
It is to be noted that as many as 16 tableaux among the 28 states have been selected to be featured in the much anticipated 75th Republic Day parade on Friday, January 26. As of now, preparations are in full swing, while adequate arrangements have already been made before the parade, which will showcase the strength and age old cultural heritage of rising Bharat at Kartavya Path in the nation’s capital.
