Maharaja Chakradhar Singh placed art above the throne and gave the Raigarh Gharana international recognition; artists from across India and Chhattisgarh to perform at Ramlila Maidan until September 23
Published on: September 17, 2026
By: BTNI
Location: Raipur, India
The 41st International Chakradhar Samaroh was formally inaugurated on Monday in Raigarh, a land known for its rich traditions of music, dance and art. Chhattisgarh Governor Ramen Deka inaugurated the festival by lighting the ceremonial lamp before the portrait of Maharaja Chakradhar Singh.
Speaking at the inauguration, Governor Deka said the event is not merely a platform for artistic performances but also an important medium for carrying forward Maharaja Chakradhar Singh’s artistic legacy and rich cultural heritage to the new generation.
The festival is being organised at Ramlila Maidan from September 14 to 23, where renowned artists from across the country and the state, along with local talents, will present vocal music, instrumental music, dance and folk art.
Governor Honours Artists
During the inaugural ceremony, Governor Ramen Deka honoured artists participating in the festival. Padma Shri Dr Usha Barle, Padma Shri Anuj Sharma, and other artists performed on the occasion, along with disciples of late art guru Vedmani Singh Thakur.
The performances added to the cultural grandeur of the opening ceremony.
Governor Deka said the Chakradhar Samaroh provides an opportunity to remember Maharaja Chakradhar Singh’s dedication to art and his vision. Raigarh is an important centre of Indian classical arts, while the Kathak tradition of the Raigarh Gharana has established a distinctive identity not only in India but also internationally.
Maharaja Chakradhar Singh Put Art Above the Throne
The Governor said Maharaja Chakradhar Singh gave greater importance to art than to the royal throne. He extended patronage to artists and worked to connect music, dance and literature with the lives of ordinary people.
He highlighted Maharaja Chakradhar Singh’s works, including ‘Nartan Sarvasva’, ‘Taaltoya Nidhi’ and ‘Raag Ratna Manjusha’, describing them as important legacies in the fields of art and literature.
According to the Governor, Maharaja Chakradhar Singh demonstrated through his artistic practice that art does not depend on a particular place or centre. Wherever continuous dedication exists, that place can become a pilgrimage centre of art.
Today, he said, Raigarh’s identity is closely associated with music, the sound of ghungroos, the beats of the tabla and the expressive movements of dance.
Chakradhar Samaroh Becomes Raigarh’s Cultural Pulse
Governor Deka said the Chakradhar Samaroh is no longer merely a government or institutional programme but has become a cultural heartbeat of Raigarh.
He said the opportunity given to local talents alongside established artists from across the country is one of the festival’s distinctive features.
Such events help the younger generation remain connected with its roots. He encouraged young people to combine tradition with innovation and take the arts to new heights.
Referring to Chhattisgarh’s rich folk traditions, he mentioned Panthi, Raut Nacha, Bharthari, Sua and Karma, along with tribal dances and folk songs, as expressions of the state’s cultural diversity.
He said India’s greatest strength lies in its unity in diversity, and the Chakradhar Samaroh presents a living example of this cultural unity.
Cultural Heritage Must Be Preserved Alongside Development
Governor Deka stressed that preserving cultural heritage is as important as development.
He said Raigarh is known not only for industrial development but also for its art and culture. The festival completed 40 years last year, and its 41st edition is now moving towards new energy and new heights.
According to him, such events serve as a means of cultural renaissance and help connect art with society.
He also said art and culture are not merely matters of identity but can contribute to tourism and economic activity. Even in the digital age, the younger generation should remain connected with its cultural roots.
He emphasised that staying connected with one’s roots is not backwardness but a source of identity and strength. The Chakradhar Samaroh, he said, is an important effort to remember the past while carrying its heritage forward to future generations.
Preservation of Maharaja Chakradhar Singh’s Works Is a Cultural Responsibility: Devendra Pratap Singh
On the occasion of the 41st Chakradhar Samaroh, Rajya Sabha MP Devendra Pratap Singh extended greetings on Ganesh Chaturthi and expressed his gratitude for Governor Ramen Deka’s presence at the event.
He said the festival has a proud tradition of being inaugurated by the Governor.
Devendra Pratap Singh said Maharaja Chakradhar Singh was born on August 19, 1905, and made significant efforts to preserve Indian art, music and culture at a time when many cultural traditions were moving away from their original forms.
He said Maharaja Chakradhar Singh worked to preserve the glorious traditions of Indian music and art, which had historically remained connected with temples, religious rituals, auspicious occasions and everyday life.
Describing Maharaja Chakradhar Singh as not merely a ruler but a great patron of Indian art and culture, Singh said his writings and books remain an invaluable heritage of the Indian music and art world.
He emphasised the need for their preservation, study and wider publication so that future generations can become familiar with this cultural heritage.
Singh said he had also raised the issue of preserving and publishing Maharaja Chakradhar Singh’s important works and books before Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who showed special interest in the matter.
He expressed confidence that the Central Government would take significant initiatives towards their publication in the coming period.
He further said the Central and state governments under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership are continuously working towards the preservation and promotion of Indian culture, art and heritage.
Chakradhar Samaroh Strengthening Raigarh’s Cultural Heritage: Radheyshyam Rathia
Lok Sabha MP Radheyshyam Rathia said the Chakradhar Samaroh is a symbol of Raigarh’s glorious cultural identity.
He said the festival is playing an important role in carrying forward the rich legacy that Maharaja Chakradhar Singh gave Raigarh in the fields of music and dance.
He added that taking the Chakradhar Samaroh to greater heights is a collective responsibility.
Municipal Corporation Mayor Jeevardhan Chauhan welcomed the guests and artists and expressed gratitude to the district administration, police administration, organising committee, media and people of Raigarh for their support in making the event successful.
He said the Chakradhar Samaroh represents Raigarh’s distinctive artistic and cultural identity and requires collective cooperation to reach new heights.
Culture Is the Soul of Society and Art Its Living Expression: Collector
Collector Mayank Chaturvedi welcomed the Governor, public representatives, artists and art enthusiasts attending the festival.
He expressed gratitude to the district administration, police administration, Municipal Corporation, officers and employees, technical team, volunteers, media representatives and citizens for their cooperation.
He said culture is the soul of a society and art is its living expression. The Chakradhar Samaroh is an important event that carries forward Raigarh’s glorious cultural tradition.
He expressed confidence that with everyone’s cooperation, the festival would achieve new heights in the fields of art and culture.
Ganesh Vandana Opens the 41st Chakradhar Samaroh
The first evening of the 41st International Chakradhar Samaroh 2026 began at Ramlila Maidan with a devotional Ganesh Vandana presented by the disciples of late art guru Vedmani Singh Thakur.
The performance carried forward the celebrated tradition of sur, taal, chhand and ghungroos, creating a devotional atmosphere at the venue.
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Following the Ganesh Vandana, artists captivated the audience with vocal and instrumental performances.
Priyanka Sahu provided harmonium accompaniment. Vocal performances were presented by Sunita Tiwari, Ishwari Gupta, Shubhangi Sahu, Chaval Kumar Patel, Vedprakash Aditya and Basant Yadav.
In instrumental music, Devlal Dewangan performed on pakhawaj, Shantanu Patel on tabla, Kishore Barik on flute and Shagufta Bano on violin. Ananddas Mahant further enhanced the presentation through ghungroo performance.
The programme was directed by Priyanka Sahu, while Suresh Kumar Chandel served as the coordinator.
The artists’ disciplined performances made the opening evening memorable with music and rhythm. The audience at Ramlila Maidan warmly welcomed the artists with enthusiastic applause.
