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Like other parts of India, In Raigarh also people celebrate ten days Ganesh festival. The interim period of ten days is observed with devotion, worship and festivity. Apart from other ceremonial observation and joyous celebrations the occasion is marked with cultural programs consisting of Music, Dance and Drama performed every evening. This festival used to celebrated by the ancestors of king Chakradhar Singh right from the time they made it their abode. They had, all of them, been very orthodox and had great faith in rituals and other religious observations. King Bhupdeo Singh took immense interest in its. King Chakradhar Singh also, after his accession to the throne, continued the family tradition with great pomp and grandeur, excelled his forefathers in making it more musical than ever. The main reason for such achievement that he himself was an accomplished musician and had an unparalleled craving for dance. The special feature of his time had been the flocking together of thousands of musicians, artists, and other entertainers from all over the world at Raigarh. It is an established fact that the popularity of the Ganesh festival of Raigarh, its musical atmosphere, the kindest hospitality of the king and the inhabitants of Raigarh, had reached the farthest corners of the world even in those days of scanty communications. Raigarh became a pilgrimage of musicians, acrobats, wrestelrs, gamblers, artists and other entertainers of various kinds. In evenings of Ganesh festival 'Bhajan', 'Keertan', 'Gayan', 'Vadan', 'Nritya' used to prevail and continue till late at night in full swing in front of the Ganesh idol and on the ground in front of Badal Mahal for the general public. King Chakradhar Singh was fully aware of the taste of masses; he therefore used to arrange for them items like Ramleela, Gammat, Mesmerism, Gambling, Wrestling etc. But in the main palace i.e. Moti Mahal, classical music and kathak dance used to be presented, which were enjoyed by the king and his family members, officers and the dancers and musicians of the Darbar. Thus the cultural programs were divided into four categories: (1) Item of sacred nature like Bhajans, Keertans and dances of devotion in front of Ganesh idol. (2) Feats of mass interest like Ramleela, Gammat, Mesmerism, Wrestling etc on the ground. (3) Mujras and folk songs etc. at different places throughout the town. (4) Classical music and dance by great artists from all over India in the main hall of Moti Mahal. The Participation of the inhabitants of Raigarh as well as the other subjects of the state was laudable. The farmers used to bring vegetables, rice and pulses etc. and donate to the imperial store and everyone gave according to his status. Early in the morning rations used to be distributed to every artist according to number of his family or team size. Nothing was left out while distributing rations: salt, chilly powder, turmeric powder, masala powder, vegetables, ghee, oil, meat, rice, fire wood etc. used to be distributed according to a final list prepared as and when the guests arrived. During the festival all school buildings and other vacant houses of the town used to be spared for accommodating the artists. Coats, utensils and other necessary items were also supplied by the king. Everything used to take place in a very systematic and well organized manner which testified to the administrative efficiency of king Chakradhar Singh. After programs King used to pay handsome amounts to participants according to their merit while leaving the Raigarh town. The range of payment was Rs. 100/- to Rs. 1000/- and more. Everyone used to leave Raigarh with full satisfaction. After the death of king Chakradhar Singh, king Lalit Singh and Bhanupratap Singh followed the same for some years but after that all colors had been into dark for 30-32 years. By fortune in 1984 Sarvodaya Leader Keyur Bhushan came to Raigarh. Under his cahirmanship one meeting called, in which artists, musicians and family members of king participated. After some days "Shri Chakradhar Lalit Kala Kendra" had been established. This centre started again the Ganesh festival with music and dance from 1985. Since 2001 the musical festival has been organizing by the Chhattisgarh State Govt. Now in this festival 'Mushayra' and 'Kavi Sammelan' have been added. Now it is the most important festival of Chhattisgarh State at National Level. |
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