Chattisgarh: Culture, Festivals And Handicrafts Shop From India

Verdant paddy fields, variegated tribal culture, and a surplus of art and handicrafts are the prominent part of Chattisgarh. Also known as the ‘rice bowl of India,’ this central state of India exhibits a simple way of living that is both nature-loving and nurturing the environment. As it is a tribal dominant state, such is the attire, food, culture, folk songs, dance, festivals, ornaments and daily lifestyle of the people.

Folk Songs And Dance Of Chattisgarh

Like any other culture, Chhattisgarh has rich lore, folk songs and dances for every occasion. Every tribe and region has their own set of songs and music forms. Out of the numerous folk song art forms, Pandwani is the most widely known. Artists perform it in an enthralling way that tells the ancient epic tales of Mahabharat. Similarly, another famous folk song style, Bharthari, narrates the saga of the King and saint Raja Bharthari.

Other folk songs are Chait Parah, Dhankul, Leja, Dadaria, etc. While some tribes sing them during marriage ceremonies, some refer to nature and the gods. Tribal dance forms of Chattisgarh involve a group of performers dancing on drum beats. Saila, Suwa, Karma and Raut are popular dance forms for various festivals and events.

Tribal Festivals

India celebrates its diversity and culture through numerous festivals yearly, and Chattisgarh is not any different. It is the epitome of tribal festivals in India and observes many regional and nature-related festivals. Apart from taking care of the culture and history, the festivities add fun and joy to the lives of the native people. Goncha, one of the most popular fun-filled festivals, involves a fun fight with a bamboo pistol ‘Goncha’ and a fruit bullet ‘Tukki’ to shoot each other. Bastar Dussehra is a grand ten-day event that involves the congregation of Goddess Maoli.

People from all over the state gather with decorated idols of gods and assemble in the Danteshwari temple in Jagdalpur. Kajari is a harvesting festival that denotes the sowing season for wheat and barley. Other pompous festivals celebrated in the region are Madai, Phagun, Bhoramdeo, Hareli and Navakhana.

Handicrafts of Chattisgarh

The aborigines of Chattisgarh create handicrafts, home decor, jewellery and many such items in sync with nature, using the natural resources abounding in the state. All the pieces are one-of-a-kind and perfect examples of Indian handicraft skills. Here’s your shopping guide for the state:

Dhokra Art Statue

Items made by Dhokra art are the proud products of the ‘Jharas’ and the ‘Ghadwas’ tribes. The finished art pieces are hollow bronze and brass idols or statues of bronze and brass of animals, lanterns, faces, and gods and goddesses.

Wrought Iron Figurines

Another artful skill that the tribes of Chattisgarh make is wrought iron figurines. The artisans craft beautiful idols, lamps, penholders, toys, musical instruments, and other decor items. The dark colour of these products entails the simplicity of tribal people and the rawness of their nature.

Godna Painting

The traditional art of painting, known as Godna, uses natural inks or colours scavenged from the forests. Mainly performed by the womenfolk of Jamgala, this art form is gaining immense popularity. They paint scenes of festivals, deities, nature, wildlife and other items connected with their tradition on the textiles.

Handwoven Kosa Silk Sarees

Kosa silk fabric of Chattisgarh is a must-have for every Indian woman. The cloth is handmade with a remarkable thread extracted from a unique worm found only in the forests of Chattisgarh. Then, it is handprinted with natural vegetable dye. As the tribes are close to nature and consider it their god, they use it in a way that shows respect towards nature and takes care of the environment.

Bamboo Work

The craftsmanship of the artisans in Chattisgarh knows no bounds. With the dense bamboo forests spread across the region, the tribes put them to use in many ways and showcase their artistic nature. They use bamboo to make baskets, kitchen utensils and other decor items.

Tumba Art

Chattisgarh tribes have stood true to their eco-friendly practices and found innovative methods of making gorgeous items. Tumba art is the very definition of sustainability as it uses the dried form of bottle gourd, also known as ‘Tumba.’ People use it to carry water and alcohol, Salfi. Hence, they started decorating it with intricate carvings and paints, giving birth to a newfound art, ‘Tumba.’

The artistic excellence of the craftsmen of Chattisgarh is incredibly unique. They produce unique artefacts that represent the history and tradition of the state beautifully. Get ahold of a piece of the distinctive culture that lives peacefully with nature and worships it. Shoppre provides an incredible way to shop for these fantastic items from the comfort of your home. No matter where you are, Shoppre delivers worldwide at the most affordable shipping rates.