Chhattisgarh's first major folk festival, Hareli Tihar, was celebrated at Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai's residence in Nava Raipur on Wednesday, with traditional rituals, cultural performances and a display of the state's rural heritage.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai performed the traditional puja of the hal-nangar, the plough and agricultural equipment, marking the festival associated with farming, greenery and prosperity. Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam and Assembly Speaker Dr Raman Singh were also present at the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Raman Singh said the prosperity of farmers was directly linked to the development of Chhattisgarh. He said around ₹35,000 crore had been transferred to farmers' accounts over the past year, adding that the state's progress would accelerate when farmers' households became financially stronger.

Traditional Festival at CM House

The Chief Minister's residence was decorated in a traditional Chhattisgarhi style for Hareli. Neem and mango leaves, marigold flowers and rural-themed decorations were used across the premises.

Traditional food items, including fara and chilla, were distributed among visitors. Several other local dishes were also prepared as part of the celebrations.

The programme featured folk performances and traditional activities, giving visitors a glimpse of Chhattisgarh's rural culture.

Hal-Nangar Worship

Hareli is closely associated with agriculture and the beginning of the farming season. On the occasion, farmers traditionally clean and worship their ploughs, agricultural tools and other equipment.

The ritual is performed with prayers for a good harvest, prosperity and well-being. Celebrated during the monsoon season, Hareli also reflects the importance of greenery and farming in the cultural life of Chhattisgarh.

Gedi and Traditional Games

Traditional gedi activities were also organised at the Chief Minister's residence. Participants were seen performing on stilts, while folk artists appeared in traditional attire.

Traditional games and cultural activities linked to village life and agriculture were also part of the programme.

The event was designed not only to celebrate Hareli but also to introduce younger generations to the state's traditional customs and rural lifestyle.

Focus on Folk Culture

The state government has been highlighting the preservation and promotion of Chhattisgarh's folk traditions and festivals.

The Hareli programme at the CM's residence brought together agricultural traditions, local cuisine, folk performances and traditional games under one platform.

The celebrations also included floral offerings to Chhattisgarh Mahtari, while traditional swings were installed on the CM House premises.

Folk artist Aaru Sahu also performed during the celebrations.

Festival Linked to Farmers

Hareli holds a special place in Chhattisgarh's agricultural calendar. The festival is traditionally associated with farmers expressing gratitude for agricultural tools and seeking a healthy crop and prosperity.

The celebrations at the Chief Minister's residence reflected the government's effort to showcase the state's agricultural heritage while keeping its folk traditions connected with contemporary public life.

The final evening of Kavya Kumbh in Raipur witnessed a blend of poetry, shayari and folk music, with Wasim Barelvi’s reflections and Mame Khan’s performance drawing enthusiastic crowds late into the night.

Raipur witnessed an evening of poetry, shayari and folk music stretching well past midnight as the concluding day of Kavya Kumbh brought together some of the country's noted literary and musical voices. Held at a school campus in Dunda on Sunday, the closing session, titled “Sangam”, drew a large audience despite a delayed start.

The programme began nearly two hours behind schedule, leaving many attendees waiting through the evening. However, the mood changed noticeably when veteran Urdu poet Wasim Barelvi arrived on stage. The audience responded with prolonged applause as the mushaira and poetry session got underway.

Literary Voices Gather

The final session featured prominent poets and shayars including Wasim Barelvi, Zubair Ali Tabish, Manika Dubey and Meer Ali Meer. Their recitations kept the audience engaged late into the night, with listeners remaining seated through extended performances despite the delay.

Speaking before presenting his poetry, Barelvi reflected on the role of literature in society. He said a balanced life requires a connection with literature and cultural traditions. Referring to his personal experiences, he remarked that good people have been both his weakness and his strength, a statement that resonated strongly with the audience.

Barelvi’s Shayari Draws Applause

Barelvi presented several of his well-known ghazals and couplets during the session. His verses on love, separation and human relationships received repeated appreciation from the gathering.

The veteran poet also spoke briefly about his health, noting that he usually does not remain at mushairas for long durations. Despite that, he expressed his desire to honour the sentiments of the audience and participate in the programme.

Tabish Connects With Audience

Popular shayar Zubair Ali Tabish presented a new ghazal that explored themes of struggle, memory and resilience. His simple yet evocative verses struck a chord with listeners, many of whom responded with appreciative applause throughout the recital.

The poetry segment maintained a steady pace through the evening, with each performer bringing a distinct style to the stage. Organisers described the session as one of the highlights of the festival's concluding day.

Alok Shrivastava’s Special Reading

As the night progressed, poet Alok Shrivastava also took the stage. Owing to delays in the schedule, his widely recognised “Aloknama” presentation could not be accommodated.

Instead, he recited a Hindi translation of the Shiv Tandav Stotra. The performance was warmly received by the audience. Shrivastava lightened the atmosphere by joking that the presentation should be treated as a “starter”, promising to return next year with a fuller performance.

Midnight Energy Shift

The atmosphere at the venue took a different turn around 12.30 am when celebrated Rajasthani folk singer Mame Khan arrived on stage. By then, many in the audience had been waiting specifically for his performance.

The singer opened with the iconic folk number “Kesariya Balam Aavo Sa Padharo Mhare Des”. Within minutes, audience members could be seen singing along and moving to the rhythm. The combination of folk and Sufi influences created an energetic atmosphere across the venue.

‘Chaudhary’ Steals The Show

As the performance progressed, repeated requests came from the audience for Khan’s popular song “Chaudhary”. Before performing it, the singer joked that the song had effectively become his “Aadhaar card”, drawing laughter from the crowd.

The song proved to be one of the biggest moments of the night, with young attendees, families and senior citizens joining in the celebration. Khan also interacted directly with the audience, at one point tossing T-shirts into the crowd, prompting excitement among younger fans.

His performance concluded around 1.20 am, bringing the musical segment to a close and marking the end of this year’s Kavya Kumbh. Organisers and attendees alike described the finale as a memorable conclusion to a festival that celebrated literature, poetry and folk traditions in equal measure.

The strong turnout and enthusiastic response on the final day underlined the growing popularity of Kavya Kumbh as a cultural event in Raipur.