Raipur, August 27, 2025.The Chakradhar Festival is a pledge to preserve our invaluable cultural heritage while reconnecting with the golden memories of the past. Maharaja Chakradhar Singh’s vision of spreading art and culture from Raigarh to future generations finds its true embodiment in this celebration. On Wednesday, the grand inauguration of the 40th Chakradhar Festival was held in Raigarh district, with Governor Ramen Deka offering prayers to Lord Ganesha and paying floral tribute to the legendary music maestro, Maharaja Chakradhar Singh.
Cultural Bond Between Chhattisgarh and Assam
In his address, Governor Ramen Deka emphasized the importance of the Chakradhar Festival in Chhattisgarh’s 25-year golden journey, celebrated as its Silver Jubilee. He highlighted the deep cultural ties between Assam and Chhattisgarh, recalling how during British times many people from this region migrated to Assam. Just as Srimanta Sankardeva enriched Assamese art and literature, Maharaja Chakradhar enriched Indian classical music and dance from Raigarh. The Governor also announced a special award in Assam in memory of Maharaja Chakradhar Singh.
Global Identity of Raigarh Gharana
He further noted that Raigarh has been a priceless treasure of Indian classical arts, with the Raigarh Gharana’s influence reaching across the world. Maharaja Chakradhar Singh elevated Kathak to new heights and enriched music and dance through his works Nartan Sarvasva, Taaltoye Nidhi, and Raag Ratna Manjusha. He remarked that art keeps life sensitive, and in today’s modern rush, such festivals reconnect us with our roots. Raigarh has long been the land that resonated with the shehnai of Bismillah Khan, the flute of Hariprasad Chaurasia, and the voice of Pandit Jasraj.
Unity in Diversity of Culture
Union Culture & Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that India’s greatest strength is its unity in diversity. Since ancient times, art, music, and literature have flourished under royal patronage, giving India global recognition. Paying tribute to Maharaja Chakradhar Singh, he said that at a time when only the Jaipur and Banaras Gharanas of Kathak were prominent, the establishment of the Raigarh Gharana gave Indian culture a new dimension.
Shekhawat also added that under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, Chhattisgarh is shedding its old image of extremism and emerging as a hub of culture and tourism. Once seen as backward, the state is now earning global recognition for its folk arts and tourism destinations. He expressed confidence that in the coming ten days, Raigarh will immerse in cultural colors with artists from across India and abroad.
Strengthening Cultural Heritage
Finance Minister O.P. Choudhary said that strong efforts are being made to give Chakradhar Festival national recognition. Development works in Raigarh are accelerating, strengthening its cultural and social identity. He informed that with central assistance, many religious and cultural sites, including Bhoramdeo Temple, are being developed.
Glorious Legacy of a Tribal King
Rajya Sabha MP Devendra Pratap Singh extended Ganesh Chaturthi greetings and highlighted that Maharaja Chakradhar Singh trained artists systematically and earned international fame for the Raigarh Gharana. The fact that a Gond tribal king elevated Kathak to global prestige marks a golden chapter in Indian history.
Raigarh MP Radheshyam Rathia said that this grand festival further enhances Raigarh’s reputation and strengthens the recognition of its cultural heritage.
Dignitaries and Public Participation
On the occasion, Union Minister of State Tokhan Sahu, Agriculture Minister & District In-charge Ramvichar Netam, Culture Minister Rajesh Agrawal, Lok Sabha MPs Kamlesh Jangde and Rupkumari Chaudhary, Rajya Sabha MP Chunnilal Garasia, Raigarh Mayor Jeevvardhan Chauhan, along with many public representatives, officials, and a large audience were present.
