Chhattisgarh CMO pays tribute to Nacha pioneer Mandaraji
Synopsis
The Chief Minister's Office of Chhattisgarh honoured Dau Dular Singh Mandaraji on his death anniversary, saluting the pioneer of Nacha — the state's signature folk theatre and dance tradition — and reaffirming official commitment to preserving regional cultural heritage.
Key Takeaways
The Chief Minister's Office of Chhattisgarh posted a tribute on September 24, 2026 , marking the death anniversary of Dau Dular Singh Mandaraji .
Mandaraji is recognised as the pioneer of Nacha , Chhattisgarh's traditional folk theatre and dance form.
The post offered 'kotishaha naman' — countless salutations — to his memory.
Such tributes are part of a consistent pattern by Chhattisgarh government accounts to publicly recognise regional cultural figures.
Nacha blends music, satire, dance, and rural storytelling, and holds a central place in Chhattisgarh's cultural identity.
On the death anniversary of Dau Dular Singh Mandaraji, the man who shaped Chhattisgarh's most beloved folk theatre tradition into an enduring art form, the Chief Minister's Office of Chhattisgarh offered a public salute — a reminder that the roots of a state's identity run deep through its stages and songs.
The official post, shared on Thursday, September 24, 2026, reads: 'Chhattisgarhi lokkala Nacha ke pravartak Dau Dular Singh Mandaraji ki punyatithi par kotishaha naman' — 'Countless salutations on the death anniversary of Dau Dular Singh Mandaraji, the pioneer of Chhattisgarhi folk art Nacha.'
Who was Dau Dular Singh Mandaraji?
Dau Dular Singh Mandaraji is credited as the foundational force behind Nacha, the traditional folk theatre and dance form native to Chhattisgarh. Rooted in the rural heartland, Nacha blends music, satire, dance, and storytelling into a form that spoke directly to ordinary people — in their own language, about their own lives. Mandaraji gave it structure, identity, and a stage it could call its own.
In a state as culturally layered as Chhattisgarh — carved out of Madhya Pradesh in 2000 and deeply invested in asserting its distinct tribal and folk heritage — figures like Mandaraji occupy a special place. His legacy is not just artistic; it is a statement of cultural sovereignty.
Why the Chhattisgarh government keeps these tributes alive
The Chhattisgarh CMO's social media accounts regularly mark the death and birth anniversaries of regional cultural icons. These are not idle gestures. Each post reinforces the state government's positioning as a custodian of indigenous performing arts — a signal to folk artists, cultural groups, and communities that their traditions carry official weight. In a media environment that often skips past regional art forms, even a single post from the Chief Minister's Office keeps a name in public conversation for another year.
For the community of Nacha performers and enthusiasts spread across Chhattisgarh, the acknowledgment matters. The form has faced the familiar pressures of urbanisation and changing entertainment habits — every institutional nod helps hold the line.
Point of View
A state that has spent over two decades building a distinct post-bifurcation identity, is among the more deliberate practitioners of this strategy. Honouring figures like Mandaraji is part of a broader effort to anchor state identity in folk and tribal heritage rather than rely solely on political narratives. For a form like Nacha, which lacks the national visibility of classical dance traditions, this kind of institutional memory-keeping can be the difference between survival and slow erasure. The consistency of these tributes signals a cultural policy posture, even if no new programme or funding accompanies the post.
NationPress
24 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Dau Dular Singh Mandaraji?
Dau Dular Singh Mandaraji was the pioneering figure behind Nacha, the traditional folk theatre and dance form of Chhattisgarh. He is credited with giving the form its distinct identity and structure, making it a cornerstone of Chhattisgarhi cultural life.
What is Nacha in Chhattisgarh?
Nacha is a traditional folk performing art native to Chhattisgarh that combines music, dance, satire, and rural storytelling. It is performed in the local Chhattisgarhi language and has historically addressed the everyday lives and concerns of ordinary people.
Why did the Chhattisgarh CMO post a tribute to Mandaraji?
The Chief Minister's Office of Chhattisgarh marked Dau Dular Singh Mandaraji's death anniversary on September 24, 2026, as part of its regular practice of honouring regional cultural icons on their birth and death anniversaries.
When was Chhattisgarh formed as a separate state?
Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh and established as a separate state in the year 2000. Since then, the state government has actively worked to assert a distinct cultural and regional identity.
Is Nacha an officially recognised art form in Chhattisgarh?
Nacha holds a prominent place in Chhattisgarh's cultural heritage and receives recognition through official government tributes and cultural acknowledgment. The state government's social media posts regularly highlight it as a key indigenous performing art.
