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PM Modi Announces Chhath Song Contest Amid UNESCO Heritage Push

Prime Minister Modi announced a national competition to encourage new Chhath songs during his Muzaffarpur rally. The public will vote to select winning entries from artists across all languages. This initiative supports India's bid to include Chhath in UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list. The winning artists and lyricists will be recognized before next year's Chhath festival celebrations.

Key Points: Modi Announces Chhath Song Competition for UNESCO Heritage Bid

  • Public will vote to select winning Chhath songs in national competition
  • Competition open to participants from all languages across India
  • Winners to be honored before next year's Chhath festival
  • Government pushing for UNESCO recognition of Chhath traditions
3 min read

Centre to organise competition for promoting Chhath songs: PM Modi in Bihar's Muzaffarpur

PM Modi reveals national Chhath song competition with public voting to promote festival's UNESCO intangible cultural heritage inclusion and support new artists.

"The youth learns the traditions of Chhath Mahaparva from the elders through songs - PM Narendra Modi"

Muzaffarpur, October 30

As part of a national initiative to include Chhath Mahaparva in the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list and promote the heritage and history of the festival, the Central government will organise a public competition to encourage newer artists and songs on Chhath, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday.

Addressing an election rally in Muzaffarpur, the Prime Minister said the competition winner will be decided by the public, and the winners will be recognised just before next year's Chhath festival.

"The youth learns the traditions of Chhath Mahaparva from the elders through songs. With that in mind, to give strength, along with multiple artists, we will organise a competition of Chhath songs," PM Modi said during an election rally in Bihar's Muzaffarpur.

With the competition, which will be open to people from all languages, and will promote newer artists and newer songs.

"So that new artists, new bhakti, new emotions are shown, and people from all over the country from all languages would get an opportunity to compete. In this the public will choose which songs they like. The top songs, the lyricists, the singers, will be given awards and honoured," he said.

The Prime Minister also highlighted India's efforts to get Chhath included in the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list.

"After Chhatth Mahaparva, this is my first public assembly. Chhath Mahaparva is the country and Bihar's pride. World over, Chhath Mahaparva is celebrated. Chhathi Maiya puja is the festival of our heritage. That is why our government is trying to make sure that the world, too, learns from its values. Our government is trying to have the Chhath Mahaparva included on the UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Now, will every Bihari be proud of this or not? When its name will be written in the world's list, won't people feel good?" PM Modi said.

Chhath Puja is a festival dedicated to the Sun God, celebrated not just in India but around the world. This will not be the first Indian festival to be recognised by UNESCO, as Durga Puja was included in the list in 2021.

Chhath, the festival of benediction to Lord Surya (the Sun), begins on Karthik Shukla Chaturthi and ends on Shukla Saptami according to the lunar calendar. Traditional offerings such as Thekuwa, Khajuri, and Kasar, along with dry fruits, fruits, and flowers, are prepared in baskets known as Dhakri.

Devotees especially fast and worship the sun for the long lives and well-being of their family members, also praying for their expectations and efforts to come true. Chhath is celebrated for all members of the family. The Hindu religion adores and respects Lord Sun, who, at the time of Chhath, is also called Chhatti Mata, the Goddess of Chhath.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Finally, our Chhath festival getting the recognition it deserves! UNESCO listing would make every Indian proud. The competition idea is brilliant - public voting ensures authentic voices are heard. Jai Chhathi Maiya! 🌅
S
Sarah B
As someone who married into a Bihari family, I've come to love Chhath traditions. Making it accessible to people from all languages is a great inclusive move. Looking forward to hearing new interpretations of these beautiful devotional songs.
A
Arjun K
While I appreciate the initiative, I hope the government focuses equally on improving basic infrastructure for Chhath celebrations - better ghats, sanitation facilities, and safety measures. Cultural promotion should go hand in hand with practical support.
M
Meera T
My grandmother taught me Chhath songs when I was little. This competition will help preserve those beautiful melodies for future generations. Hoping to see traditional instruments and authentic Bhojpuri/Maithili styles being promoted! 🎵
V
Vikram M
Chhath is not just Bihar's pride but India's cultural treasure. The UNESCO recognition will put our ancient traditions on the global map. The competition should also document and archive these songs for cultural preservation.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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