{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Centuries-Old Doha-Diwari Tradition Echoes Across Surguja Villages in Chhattisgarh",
  "summary": "In Chhattisgarh's Surguja district, the tradition of singing Doha-Diwari folk songs continues days after Diwali. Villagers form troupes to visit homes and narrate tales of Lord Ram and Krishna.",
  "content": "In the Surguja district of Chhattisgarh, the celebration of Diwali does not end simply with lighting lamps, as a unique and traditional cultural practice unfolds in rural areas several days after the festival concludes. People across various villages form groups and visit homes, singing traditional couplets and folk songs to spread messages of mutual love, brotherhood, and social unity. Ramchand Yadav, an elderly resident of Surguja, remains a master of this art form, rendering traditional folk songs with such mastery that listeners are captivated. These musical renditions vividly describe the divine pastimes of Lord Krishna and episodes from the life of Lord Ram, keeping a centuries-old folk tradition alive.\n\nSinging Alongside His Father Since Age Fifteen\n\nRamchand Yadav shared that when he was about 15 years old, he used to accompany his father to villages to sing Doha-Diwari. During those times, village elders and energetic youth formed troupes and visited each other's homes. Rural residents welcomed them warmly, arranging tea, water, and meals. Additionally, they offered token gifts ranging from 50 to 100 rupees as appreciation based on their financial standing.\n\nTales of Lord Krishna and Kansa in Folk Songs\n\nDiwari songs prominently feature the childhood stories of Lord Krishna and the tyranny of Kansa. The tale of Kansa executing Devki's children and his rivalry with Lord Krishna is presented by villagers through folk songs in their traditional local dialect. Ramchand Yadav notes that these compositions were created by their ancestors and have been handed down through generations, preserving the heritage.\n\nExile Narratives of Lord Ram\n\nThe Doha-Diwari performances also recount the 14-year exile of Lord Ram. Through folk songs, performers narrate episodes such as Ram's departure for the forest, Mata Sita seeking permission to build a hut, and Lakshman searching for a suitable dwelling place in the wilderness. Villagers use these religious narratives in song form to pass down traditional values to the younger generation.\n\nStarting with Doha and Concluding with Diwari\n\nAccording to Ramchand Yadav, both Doha and Diwari have distinct identities. The troupe first recites a Doha and then performs the Diwari song. These performances weave together religious lore, local language dialects, rich folk culture, and ancestral customs.\n\nA Two-Hundred-Year Legacy with Modern Rural Enthusiasm\n\nRamchand Yadav explains that this tradition is roughly 200 years old, and immense enthusiasm for it persists among villagers today. Troupes visit households to sing Doha-Diwari across numerous surrounding settlements including Parpatia, Dakesara, Laliya, Satanadar, Kuniya, and Narmadapur. Youth learn the craft from elders to carry the legacy forward.\n\nDays of Music Following the Festival\n\nThis musical tradition begins during Diwali and continues for four to five days. Villagers travel across different communities, performing Doha-Diwari from house to house. Beyond entertainment, this practice serves as a vital medium for strengthening community bonds, brotherhood, and preserving cultural heritage.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThis cultural tradition works to strengthen mutual brotherhood and social bonding at the grassroots level.\n\n• Across India: This tradition presents a powerful example of preserving cultural heritage in rural parts of the country. Villagers connect the younger generation with religious and cultural history through age-old artistic expressions.\n• In Surguja: For residents of Surguja and surrounding villages, this celebration serves as a major medium for social interaction and cultural exchange. This connection between local performers and households keeps the shared rural culture vibrant.\n\nWhy this happened\nThis tradition was initiated by ancestors centuries ago and has been passed down through generations. Its main purpose is to spread love and harmony in society through religious narratives.\n\n• Ancestral Heritage: These songs were composed keeping local dialects and folk culture in mind by ancestors. The practice is carried forward through generations to keep folk art alive.\n• Religious Themes: Conveying episodes linked to the lives of Lord Krishna and Lord Ram through musical renditions forms the core foundation of this art.\n• Social Bonding: In the days following Diwali, villagers visit each other's homes to enhance cultural interaction, which strengthens mutual unity.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Where is the Doha-Diwari singing tradition practiced?\nThis tradition is practiced in the Surguja district of Chhattisgarh and its surrounding villages.\n\n2. Since when has Ramchand Yadav been associated with this tradition?\nRamchand Yadav has been going out to sing Doha-Diwari with his father since he was around 15 years old.\n\n3. Which deities' stories are narrated in these songs?\nThe songs narrate the divine pastimes of Lord Krishna and the exile narrative of Lord Ram.\n\n4. How old is this tradition?\nAccording to Ramchand Yadav, this folk tradition is roughly 200 years old.\n\n5. How many days does this program run after Diwali?\nThis musical session runs for four to five days following Diwali.\n\n6. What do the performers receive as token gifts?\nVillagers offer token gifts ranging from 50 to 100 rupees to the performers based on their financial standing.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/chhattisgarh/surguja-men-anuthi-parnpara-doha-diwari-ganon-se-gunja-rahe-gramina-ilake-59277",
  "category": "Chhattisgarh",
  "publishedAt": "2026-11-13",
  "tags": [
    "Chhattisgarh",
    "Surguja",
    "Folk Culture",
    "Diwali",
    "Folk Songs",
    "Tradition",
    "Lord Krishna",
    "Lord Ram"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia",
  "whatItMeansForYou": "This cultural tradition works to strengthen mutual brotherhood and social bonding at the grassroots level.\n\n• Across India: This tradition presents a powerful example of preserving cultural heritage in rural parts of the country. Villagers connect the younger generation with religious and cultural history through age-old artistic expressions.\n• In Surguja: For residents of Surguja and surrounding villages, this celebration serves as a major medium for social interaction and cultural exchange. This connection between local performers and households keeps the shared rural culture vibrant.",
  "whyItHappened": "This tradition was initiated by ancestors centuries ago and has been passed down through generations. Its main purpose is to spread love and harmony in society through religious narratives.\n\n• Ancestral Heritage: These songs were composed keeping local dialects and folk culture in mind by ancestors. The practice is carried forward through generations to keep folk art alive.\n• Religious Themes: Conveying episodes linked to the lives of Lord Krishna and Lord Ram through musical renditions forms the core foundation of this art.\n• Social Bonding: In the days following Diwali, villagers visit each other's homes to enhance cultural interaction, which strengthens mutual unity.",
  "questionsAndAnswers": [
    {
      "question": "Where is the Doha-Diwari singing tradition practiced?",
      "answer": "This tradition is practiced in the Surguja district of Chhattisgarh and its surrounding villages."
    },
    {
      "question": "Since when has Ramchand Yadav been associated with this tradition?",
      "answer": "Ramchand Yadav has been going out to sing Doha-Diwari with his father since he was around 15 years old."
    },
    {
      "question": "Which deities' stories are narrated in these songs?",
      "answer": "The songs narrate the divine pastimes of Lord Krishna and the exile narrative of Lord Ram."
    },
    {
      "question": "How old is this tradition?",
      "answer": "According to Ramchand Yadav, this folk tradition is roughly 200 years old."
    },
    {
      "question": "How many days does this program run after Diwali?",
      "answer": "This musical session runs for four to five days following Diwali."
    },
    {
      "question": "What do the performers receive as token gifts?",
      "answer": "Villagers offer token gifts ranging from 50 to 100 rupees to the performers based on their financial standing."
    }
  ]
}