Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Sunday, 19 July 2026, congratulated the team behind the documentary film 'Ram-Nami' after it was honoured with the Best Documentary award at the 72nd National Film Awards, calling the recognition a matter of pride for the entire state.

Context

In his post, Chief Minister Sai wrote: '72वें राष्ट्रीय फिल्म पुरस्कार में छत्तीसगढ़ के अद्वितीय रामनामी समुदाय की अटूट रामभक्ति, संस्कृति और समृद्ध विरासत पर आधारित डॉक्यूमेंट्री फिल्म 'राम-नामी' को 'सर्वश्रेष्ठ डॉक्यूमेंट्री' का सम्मान मिलना पूरे प्रदेश के लिए गौरव की बात है।' [Translation: 'The recognition of the documentary film 'Ram-Nami', based on the unwavering Ram devotion, culture and rich heritage of Chhattisgarh's unique Ramnami community, as the Best Documentary at the 72nd National Film Awards is a matter of pride for the entire state.'] He extended heartfelt congratulations to director Bharatbala Ganapathi and the full team behind the film.

The Chief Minister further described the Ramnami community's traditions as 'हमारी लोक संस्कृति का गौरवशाली प्रतीक' [a glorious symbol of our folk culture], and expressed confidence that the award would give Chhattisgarh's cultural heritage a new identity on the national stage.

Policy Backdrop

The National Film Awards, instituted by the Government of India in 1954, are among the country's most prestigious honours for cinema, recognising excellence across feature films, documentaries, and regional productions. Documentaries on devotional and tribal practices from central and eastern India have periodically found recognition at these awards, reflecting the event's mandate to spotlight India's cultural diversity.

Chhattisgarh, carved out as a separate state in 2000, is home to numerous tribal and folk communities whose traditions have historically received limited national visibility. Since statehood, successive governments have sought to document and project these practices at national forums as part of broader cultural identity-building efforts.

The Ramnami Community

The Ramnami Samaj is a distinct social group native to Chhattisgarh, known for an exceptionally intense devotion to Lord Ram expressed through the practice of tattooing the name 'Ram' across their bodies and through oral traditions of continuous chanting. The community's practices are considered a living form of intangible heritage, blending religious fervour with folk art in a manner unique to the region.

The documentary 'Ram-Nami', directed by Bharatbala Ganapathi, centres on this community's faith, culture, and heritage. The film's national recognition is seen as a significant moment for advocates of folk-arts documentation from newer states seeking representation in mainstream cultural discourse.

What's Next

The award is expected to renew attention on state-level initiatives for folk-arts documentation and film production incentives in Chhattisgarh. Observers will watch whether the state government follows up the recognition with dedicated schemes to support regional documentary filmmakers covering the state's tribal and folk traditions. The broader pattern of such awards influencing cultural policy at the state level makes this a moment worth tracking for stakeholders in India's intangible heritage sector.