BASTAR Art & More

The Secret of Chattisgarh.

- Bindu Saxena

ONE FACET THAT LEAVES US IN AWE IS ITS TALES OF FORESTSUNTOLD STORIES OF HIDDEN CAVES, DIVERSE WILDLIFE, ENCHANTING WATERFALLS, AND ANCIENT TEMPLES.

From an anthropological point of view, the term “tribe” holds significant meaning, at least in Bastar. One facet that leaves us in awe is its tales of forests—untold stories of hidden caves, diverse wildlife, enchanting waterfalls, and ancient temples. A drive through these destinations is replete with scenic journeys and a flourishing ecosystem.

What we know as Bastar today corresponds to Dandakaranya of ancient times. “Danda” was home to Dandaka, the demon who lived among deadly creatures. “Aranya” means forest—the refuge given to Rama, Sita, and Lakshman in the Ramayana.

This legendary region is about 264 km from Raipur, the capital city of Chhattisgarh. It represents the ancient lifestyle of the tribes that have preserved the culture of primitive man.

To me, Bastar has always been synonymous with bows and arrows, which I used to draw in my Social Anthropology workbook. As I take you vicariously through my trip, I am reminded of a “Bastar” in our class. He was always at the centre stage of fun. In his late teens, he had unpleasant mannerisms and poor sartorial sense. To maintain our sanity, we removed the fourth letter of the alphabet from his moniker and addressed him as Bastar (in sly).

Before diving into the theme of this narrative, let me quickly take you through Raipur to Gangrel Dam, eventually leading you to the region—for I strongly feel it's imperative to have a cursory glance at the paths we follow.