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Chhattiasgarh Panthi Dance: Panthi dance has a special place in the folk culture of Chhattisgarh. This is not just a dance, but a medium to spread the message of Baba Guru Ghasidas ‘Mankhe-Mankhe Ek Samaan’. Hiradas Kurre of Raipur has been spreading social awareness against caste, discrimination and untouchability by doing Panthi dance since the age of 6.
Chhattisgarh Panthi Dance: Panthi dance has a special and proud place in the rich folk culture of Chhattisgarh. It is not just a folk dance, but a cultural movement giving the message of social equality, humanity and walking on the path of truth. Artists like Hiradas Kurre, resident of Birgaon, Raipur, have been working for years to spread the ideas of Baba Guru Ghasidas to every section of the society through Panthi dance.
Hiradas Kurre tells that he has been doing Panthi dance since the age of just 6 years. Since childhood, he considered this dance not just as an art but as the purpose of life. The message of ‘Mankhe-Mankhe Ek Samaan’ given by Baba Guru Ghasidas is being spread to the people through Panthi dance. Its basic objective is to eliminate social evils like casteism, discrimination and untouchability. He believes that due to continuous promotion of Panthi dance, positive changes are being seen in the society.
Identity of culture of Chhattisgarh
Panthi dance is the identity of the culture of Chhattisgarh, which has received respect not only at the state level but also at national and international forums. This dance performed on the beats of dholak, manjira and cymbals fills the audience with spiritual energy. The lyrics of the songs are directly related to the teachings of Baba Guru Ghasidas, which inspires to make life simple, truthful and restrained. Seven major messages of Baba Guru Ghasidas are conveyed to the society through Panthi dance and songs. These include ban on killing living beings, considering other’s woman as a mother, not telling lies, not consuming alcohol, abstaining from meat, walking on the path of truth and adopting a simple life. These messages are as relevant today as they were before.
Hiradas Kurre says that as long as he has life in his body, he will continue to perform Panthi dance and carry forward the ideas of Baba Guru Ghasidas. His Panthi dance team specially goes from village to village every year from 18th December to 31st December to propagate Baba’s messages. White dress has special significance in Panthi dance. White color is considered a symbol of simplicity, purity and truth. The message of simple eating habits, simple dressing, simple thoughts and simple lifestyle is given through white colour. The jaitkham and flag of Satnami community are also white in colour, which shows the spiritual and cultural importance of this colour.
