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| चिंताराम टिकरिहा | |
| File:Chintaram Tikariha.jpg | |
| Born | 1880 Kumhari, Central Provinces, British India |
| Died | November 21, 1982(1982-11-21) (aged 102) |
| Occupation(s) | Philanthropist, social worker |
| Spouse(s) |
Victoria Bai Tikariha
(m. 1910; died 1953) Shree Bai Tikariha (m. 1955) |
| Children | 16 (4 Sons & 12 Daughters) |
| Parent | Dauaram Tikariha (father) Sukhiya Bai Tikariha (mother) |
Chintaram Tikariha (1880 – 21 November 1982) was an Indian Strongman,agriculturalist, philanthropist and social worker. Besides his contributions to the development of rural area he also donated land and money for construction of schools. He was also widely known in the local community for his numerous physical feats.
Early life
Tikariha was born in 1880 at village Kumhari, Central Provinces, British India. His father, Dauaram Tikariha, was an affluent landowner. He later moved to Budgahan, in present day district Baloda Bazar. In 1910 he married Victoria Bai. They had 2 sons and 3 daughters. After the death of his first wife he married Shree Bai. The couple was survived by 2 sons and 9 daughters together.
Agricultural reforms
In 1900s Tikariha pained by poor state of agriculture in his native region embarked on a nationwide tour. Accompanied by fellow former freedom fighter Salik Chandrawanshi, they went across India studying various forms of agriculture. He brought back valuable agricultural know-how and introduced many farming techniques previously unknown to the cultivators of the region. The introduction of wet rice cultivation to central Chhattisgarh was a direct result of his efforts.
Physical feats
Tikariha was renowned for his remarkable displays of physical prowess. His contemporaries recall instance where a bullock cart got stuck in the mud, he would unfasten one bull and pull the cart himself alongside the other bull. On another occasion, when a large tree trunk had fallen onto the road, obstructing his path, he alighted from his cart and single-handedly moved it aside. In yet another demonstration of his strength, when four guests were about to depart without accepting his offer for a meal, they discovered that their jeep was unable to move forward. Upon inspection, they observed that Tikariha had lifted the rear wheels of the car a few inches off the ground.
In 1935, while en route to Chitrakoot, Tikariha encountered a massive rock that had fallen onto the pathway due to a landslide. He lifted the rock and moved it aside, and as a gesture of gratitude, the locals inscribed his name on the rock. The rock remained in its place for several decades until it was relocated in 1996 due to a construction project. In the same year, he is said to have lifted a 14-foot-long rock which weighed over 500 kilograms and positioned it vertically, his name and the date were written on it, serving as a testament to his physical strength. According to eyewitness accounts, during the re-construction of a temple in Turturiya, Tikariha lifted rocks weighing over 100-200 kilograms and transported them to the construction site. Additionally, during the construction of his house in the 1940s, he was one of the ten people to carry a 22-feet-long pole, weighing over 1800 kilograms.
Philanthropy
He has generously donated his residence to a school and has taken it upon himself to provide employment opportunities for daily wage laborers in the vicinity of his village, at his own personal expense. Furthermore, he has been known to extend financial assistance to underprivileged children and has been actively involved in providing aid to the destitute during times of famine and floods. In addition to this, he has also been instrumental in providing free medical treatment to those in need. He also paid for the ceremonial expenses (funerals, marriages etc) of the underprivileged families who otherwise could not afford it. No one ever returned empty handed from his doors. Additionally he advocated to the British authorities for the development of a canal in Budgahan. Furthermore, he offered his land for road construction without seeking any compensation for it.
Temple restoration
Chintaram played a pivotal role in restoring the ancient temple at Turturiya, widely regarded as Valmiki Ashram, between 1969 and 1972. Situated in a remote, mountainous region of Balodabazar district, the temple was in a state of neglect before Chintaram took the initiative to revive it. Despite the challenging terrain and lack of resources, his relentless efforts transformed the site into a revered place of worship. Tikariha has undertaken the commissioning of numerous temples, with the most notable among them being the one situated in Turturia. This temple was erected in the year 1972 and has since become a renowned tourist attraction. Today, this temple stands as a symbol of faith and cultural heritage, attracting hundreds of visitors every year and contributing significantly to the region’s spiritual identity.
Legacy
Although possessing great wealth, he led a modest lifestyle, earning admiration from from people, who referred to him as 'Babu ji' (respected father) with reverence. Even presently, the mere mention of village Budgahan evokes his name in the minds of people. His accomplishments continue to be recounted even in the neighboring villages, and his reputation extends beyond his place of origin. The tales of his deeds has orally passed down to the generations by his beneficiaries. He remains a prominent figure and a widely known name in central Chhattisgarh.
Films
- In 2025 a long form documentary on him, made by filmmaker S Anshu Dhurandhar, was released digitally on Youtube. The docufilm contained testimonies of over 250 people and featured video messages and remarks from various leading figures including cabinet minister Tank Ram Verma, member of parliament Vijay Baghel and Bhupesh Baghel, the former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. The film remains the only documented primary source on the life of Tikariha.
Books
- Chintaram Tikariha's biography was published in 2024. It was authored by S Anshu Dhurandhar.
References
- Aṭapaṭū, Ajaya (2015). Chhattisgarh Ke Lokjeevan Mein Ram (in Hindi). Vani Prakashan. ISBN 978-93-5229-093-2.
- ^ Dhurandhar, S Anshu (2024-06-23). Chintaram (in Hindi). Bluerose Publishers. p. 107. ISBN 978-9364525763.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - Khare, Basant (2025-01-05). "चिंताराम टिकरिहा पर बनी फिल्म 6 जनवरी को होगी रिलीज़, तुरतुतिया मंदिर के पुनर्निर्माण में निभाई थी महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका". johar36garh.com. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
- "CG Film: छत्तीसगढ़ के भीम पर बनी फिल्म, कसरत के साथ सिखाएगी संस्कार | CG Film: A film made on Bheem of Chhattisgarh". Patrika News (in Hindi). 2025-01-08. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
- MODANWAL, RIYA (2025-01-07). "CG News: छत्तीसगढ़ के भीम चिंताराम टिकरिहा" फिल्म और पुस्तक का हुआ भव्य विमोचन, युवाओं को दी प्रेरणा". Aaj Ki Jandhara. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
- Verma, Chandrakant (2025-01-04). "छत्तीसगढ़ के भीम चिंताराम टिकरिहा, 6 जनवरी को होगी 'चिंताराम फिल्म' रिलीज!". Chhattisgarh Talk. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
- Agrawal, Trisha (2025-01-04). "छत्तीसगढ़ के भीम चिंताराम: तुरतुरिया मंदिर के जीर्णोद्धारकर्ता चिंताराम टिकरिहा के जीवन पर बन रही फिल्म, 6 जनवरी को होगी रिलीज …". Lalluram (in Hindi). Retrieved 2025-01-10.
- "दाऊ चिंताराम टिकरिहा पर बनी फिल्म "छत्तीसगढ़ के भीम चिंताराम" और पुस्तक का हुआ विमोचन, मंत्री टंकराम वर्मा ने कहा- युवाओं को उनके जीवन से लेनी चाहिए प्रेरणा". दाऊ चिंताराम टिकरिहा पर बनी फिल्म “छत्तीसगढ़ के भीम चिंताराम” और पुस्तक का हुआ विमोचन, मंत्री टंकराम वर्मा ने कहा- युवाओं को उनके जीवन से लेनी चाहिए प्रेरणा. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
- Dwivedi, Silky (2025-01-04). "Bhim Chintaram of Chhattisgarh: A film is being made on the life of Chintaram Tikariya, the restorer of Turturiya temple, will be released on January 6… -". www.the-journalist.com. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
- "CG News: दाऊ चिंताराम टिकरिहा पर बनी फिल्म व पुस्तक का हुआ विमोचन, मंत्री टंकराम वर्मा बोले – कसरत के साथ संस्कार सिखाएगी | CG News: Film and book made on Bhim Chintaram Tikriha of Chhattisgarh released". Patrika News (in Hindi). 2025-01-08. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
- "cg streetbuzz दाऊ चिंताराम टिकरिहा पर बनी फिल्म "छत्तीसगढ़ के भीम चिंताराम" और पुस्तक का हुआ विमोचन, मंत्री टंकराम वर्मा ने कहा-". streetbuzz.co.in (in Hindi). Retrieved 2025-01-10.