Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday, 20 July 2026 congratulated the makers of the documentary film Ram-Nami after it won the Best Documentary award at the 72nd National Film Awards, calling the honour a matter of pride for the entire state.

In a post on X, CM Sai said the recognition would give the Ramanami community and Chhattisgarh's rich cultural heritage 'a new identity on the national stage.' He described the award as 'poore Chhattisgarh pradesh ke liye gaurav ka vishay' ('a matter of pride for the entire state of Chhattisgarh').

Context

The documentary Ram-Nami, directed by Bharatbala Ganapati, is centred on the Ramanami Samaj — a socio-religious community indigenous to Chhattisgarh distinguished by its deep Ram-centric devotional tradition, most visibly expressed through the practice of tattooing the name 'Ram' across the body. The community's identity is inseparable from this singular act of faith, which sets it apart from virtually every other devotional tradition in India.

The 72nd National Film Awards are presented annually by the Government of India to recognise excellence across feature films, short films, and documentaries. A Best Documentary win at this platform is among the most prestigious recognitions a non-fiction Indian filmmaker can receive.

Policy Backdrop

Since Chhattisgarh was carved out as a separate state in November 2000, successive governments have sought to document and elevate the state's distinct tribal and folk traditions at national forums. The Ramanami community, concentrated in the state's rural heartland, has historically received limited mainstream cultural attention despite its striking and centuries-old devotional practices.

National Film Awards have periodically honoured documentaries spotlighting lesser-known devotional and folk traditions from across India, functioning as a soft institutional mechanism to integrate regional cultural expressions into a shared national narrative without eroding their distinct identities.

Stakeholders and Impact

For the Ramanami Samaj, the award represents an unprecedented level of national visibility. The community's practices — oral Ram-katha recitation, communal singing, and the distinctive body-tattoo tradition — have remained largely undocumented in mainstream Indian cinema and scholarship.

Cultural groups across Chhattisgarh and scholars of Indian folk traditions are among those likely to welcome the recognition. Director Bharatbala Ganapati and his team receive direct professional validation, while the state government gains a cultural-diplomacy moment to highlight Chhattisgarh's heritage to a national audience.

What's Next

The full list of 72nd National Film Award winners is expected to generate wider public interest in the documentary, potentially opening avenues for wider theatrical or streaming release. CM Sai's public endorsement may also prompt state-level initiatives — such as archival screenings or cultural festivals — to build on the momentum the award has created for Chhattisgarh's folk and devotional communities.