Chhattisgarh Culture Department

Devdas Banjare Smriti Panthi Dance Award

Late Devdas Banjare, an internationally renowned Panthi dancer and a pioneering artist of modern Panthi dance, was born on January 1, 1947, in the village of Sokra, Tehsil-Dhamtari, District Raipur. His biological father was Shri Bodhram Gendre, his foster father Shri Phool Singh Banjare, his mother Smt. Bhagwati Bai, his wife Smt. Rambai Banjare, and sons Shri Dilip Kumar Banjare and Shri Santosh Kumar Banjare resided with their extended family in Dhanora, Police Station Utai, District Durg.

Through performing folk arts and Panthi dance, he organized social programs and, through song, inspired self-respect among the Dalit, oppressed, and exploited communities, raising awareness on national and international platforms. He traveled internationally to places like London, Paris, Germany, France, Russia, Japan, Australia, and Canada, where he promoted Indian art and culture through Panthi dance and song, facilitating cultural exchange with foreign artists.

In March 1972, he received a gold medal at the Girodhpuri Fair from the then Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. He was also honored with the President’s Gold Medal in 1975, the Dau Mahasingh Chandrakar Award in 2000-2001, and by Home Minister Shri Charan Das Mahant in 1997. He passed away unexpectedly on August 26, 2005, in a road accident.

In recognition of his inspirational efforts to raise public awareness and awaken rural communities to their fundamental rights, the Government of Chhattisgarh has established the state-level "Devdas Banjare Memorial Panthi Dance Award." This award honors and encourages participants and organizations in the field of Panthi dance, celebrating Chhattisgarh's folk traditions.