Bastar Pandum & Jhitku–Mitki

A delegation from Bastar Mandal of Chhattisgarh, comprising winners of Bastar Pandum 2026, Pargana Manjhi and Chalaki representatives, and Padma awardees, recently met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre. The President highlighted the role of Bastar Pandum in promoting the region’s tribal traditions, folk arts and cultural identity at national and international platforms.

About Bastar Pandum:

• Bastar Pandum is a cultural festival aimed at showcasing and preserving the traditional tribal culture, folk arts, customs and heritage of Bastar.
• It seeks to establish Bastar’s distinct cultural identity on national and international platforms.

Pargana Manjhi–Chalaki System:

• The Manjhi-Chalaki system is associated with the traditional socio-cultural organisation of tribal communities in the Bastar region.
• Manjhi and Chalaki are traditional community-level leadership positions associated with the functioning of tribal society and customary practices.

Jhitku–Mitki:

• During the programme, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai presented the President with an artwork depicting Jhitku-Mitki, a folk legend of Bastar.
• The approximately 300-year-old legend is traditionally associated with themes of love, sacrifice and social harmony.
• In parts of Bastar, Jhitku and Mitki are revered as Khodiya Raja and Gappa Dei.

Source: PIB

CLICK HERE: UPSC PRELIMS & MAINS CURRENT AFFAIRS BASED WEEKLY TEST (ENG & HINDI)

CLICK HERE FOR GS TIMES PRAHAR UPSC GS MAINS TEST SERIES 

CLICK HERE: DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS QUIZ (FOR ALL EXAMINATIONS)