Karnataka and Chhattisgarh Forge Cultural Bonds at Chitrakote Sangama
“Two-day Kannada–Chhattisgarhi confluence held in Bastar, 9–10 August 2025”
Bengaluru, 14 August 2025: In a rare example of citizen-led national integration, the Chitrakote Kannada–Chhattisgarhi Sangama united eminent personalities, artists, royals, and citizens from Karnataka and Chhattisgarh in a two-day cultural and intellectual gathering in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, on 9–10 August 2025.
The event was conceptualised and self-funded by Aakash Verma, a TV news producer from Chhattisgarh, and his wife Seema Mahotra Verma, a teacher from Jammu & Kashmir. The couple, currently based abroad, described the initiative as their “personal national duty” to promote linguistic and cultural harmony between states.
Notable Participation
From Karnataka, distinguished attendees included Vijayanagara royal Shri Krishna Devaraya, Yakshagana artiste Smt. Nirmala Hedge of Sirsi, Wing Commander B.S. Sudarshan, tech education advocate Uday Raghunath Birje, Dakshin Bharat Rashtramat editor Shreekant Parashar, and singer–actor Padmini Oak (Grand Jury, Zee Kannada Sa Re Ga Ma).
The gathering also saw the presence of NDTV Consulting Editor Sumit Awasthi, Amar Ujala Digital Head Jaideep Karnik, Mumbai scholar Ravi Kumar Iyer, TV personality Mohammed Faiz Khan from Raipur, and cultural ambassador Ravi Badekar from Nashik, whose patriotic song during the Bastar Maharaja’s high tea left the audience in silence.
Day 1 – Warm Welcome & Heritage Tour
On 9 August, the Karnataka delegation was greeted in Jagdalpur by Mayor Sanjay Pandey and his council with flowers and coconuts. The group visited Maa Danteshwari Temple at the Bastar royal palace, followed by a high tea hosted by Maharaja Kamal Chandra Bhanj Deo.
Later, at the Chitrakote Waterfalls — known as the ‘Niagara of India’ — the guests enjoyed a traditional tribal welcome featuring the Bison Horn dance.
Day 2 – Jal Sangama & Cultural Exchange
The second day began with a symbolic Jal Sangama at Chitrakote, where waters from Karnataka’s Cauvery and Tungabhadra rivers and Chhattisgarh’s Mahanadi were merged with the Indravati River, which later joins the Godavari.
At Hotel Grand Shilpi, the main session opened with Karnataka’s state anthem Bharat Janani Tanujate by Padmini Oak and Chhattisgarh’s Arpa Pairi Ke Dhar. The ceremonial lamp was lit by Rakshita from Sirsi and Rigvee Verma, the organisers’ young daughter, who learned the Karnataka anthem despite being raised abroad by non-Kannadiga parents.
Speakers included:
Ravi Kumar Iyer – historic ties and mutual contributions to nation building.
Mohammed Faiz Khan – the importance of citizen-led unity.
Wing Commander B.S. Sudarshan – Karnataka’s role in India’s defence, including Operation Sindoor.
Uday Raghunath Birje – from IISc’s legacy to the Mysore Lancers in WWI.
Maharaja Kamal Chandra Bhanj Deo – Bastar’s historical and cultural connections.
Shri Krishna Devaraya – Vijayanagara Empire’s role in promoting linguistic and cultural diversity.
Shared Heritage on Stage
A Yakshagana performance by Nirmala Hedge’s troupe and a Pandavani recital by Smt. Ritu Verma of Chhattisgarh reflected the artistic kinship of the two states. The presentations highlighted India’s cultural diversity as many shades of a single heritage.
A Message of Oneness
Calling Kannada his Dodamma Bhashe (elder mother tongue), organiser Aakash Verma said, “All Indian languages belong to all Indians, and we must promote, respect, and learn from them as much as possible.”
Local Kannadigas in Chhattisgarh warmly welcomed the visiting delegation, hosting them in their homes. The Karnataka participants returned with memories of warmth, heritage, and unity.
The event details were formally shared at the Press Club of Bangalore by members of the Chhattisgarh Sangama.
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