Under the visionary leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, who has consistently emphasised that tribal art, languages and traditions represent India’s living civilisational heritage, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs is organising Tribes Art Fest (TAF) 2026 in the national capital.
The Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Shri Jual Oram, today inaugurated the 12-day festival at Travancore Palace, reaffirming the Government of India’s commitment to preservation of tribal heritage alongside structured economic empowerment of tribal communities.
The ceremony opened with a soulful invocation of Vande Mataram by Sangeet Natak Akademi. Organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in collaboration with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), the festival brings together more than 75 tribal artists and over 1,000 artworks representing more than 30 tribal art traditions.
It is among the most comprehensive national showcases of India’s tribal visual culture. The dignitaries present on the dais included Shri Jual Oram, Hon’ble Minister of Tribal Affairs; Shri Durgadas Uikey, Hon’ble Minister of State for Tribal Affairs; Smt. Ranjana Chopra, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs; Shri Manish Thakur, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs; Shri Anant Prakash Pandey, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs; Dr. Sanjeev Kishor Goutam, Director General, National Gallery of Modern Art and Ms. Poonam Sharma, President, FICCI FLO & Director, Ayurvedant Pvt Ltd.
On the occasion, the official TAF Catalogue was formally unveiled, presenting a curated documentation of participating artists, art traditions and artworks featured at the festival. The TAF Launch Video, showcasing the vision, scale and artistic diversity of the festival, was also released, marking a significant moment in the formal commencement of Tribes Art Fest 2026.
As part of the cultural segment, Khmih Creative Society from Shillong, Meghalaya presented an evocative showcase of tribal musical traditions, seamlessly blending tribal rhythms and instruments with a powerful patriotic and contemporary expressions, earning enthusiastic appreciation from the audience.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Jual Oram stated that the Ministry is pursuing an integrated approach to tribal empowerment that combines cultural preservation with socio-economic development. He highlighted major initiatives including PM JANMAN for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), DAJGUA for benefit saturation, expansion of Eklavya Model Residential Schools for quality education, and strengthened market linkages through TRIFED.
He emphasised that platforms such as Tribes Art Fest move beyond symbolic celebration by creating structured market ecosystems, connecting artists with collectors, galleries, corporates, design institutions and citizens, thereby transforming cultural heritage into sustainable and aspirational livelihoods.
Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Shri Durgadas Uikey, observed that such festivals provide authentic platforms for tribal communities to present their heritage and artistic excellence on their own terms. He noted that reciprocal engagement between artists and wider institutions strengthens cultural confidence, enhances visibility, and creates dignified livelihood opportunities rooted in community ownership.
Smt. Ranjana Chopra, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, underlined that Tribes Art Fest translates policy into practice by anchoring tribal art promotion in equity, dignity and sustainability. She stated that India’s tribal communities preserve unique art traditions reflecting deep-rooted knowledge systems, ecological wisdom and intergenerational continuity.
TAF strengthens national recognition of these traditions while creating meaningful opportunities for identity affirmation and economic empowerment. TAF seeks to create fair market conditions where tribal artists receive appropriate value for their work. By facilitating direct engagement with art buyers, galleries, corporate partners, institutions and citizens, the festival facilitates market linkages at scale.
The exhibition features art traditions such as Warli (Maharashtra), Gond (Madhya Pradesh), Bhil (MP, Rajasthan, Gujarat), Dokra (West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Odisha), Sohrai (Jharkhand), Koya (Telangana, Andhra Pradesh), Kurumba (Tamil Nadu), Saura (Odisha), Bodo (Assam and North-East), Oraon (Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh), Mandana (Rajasthan, MP), Godna (Bihar, MP, Chhattisgarh), bamboo crafts from the North-East and several others, demonstrating both regional diversity and civilisational continuity.
Recognising that tribal art embodies sustainability and harmony, values critical for modern India, the festival also features contemporary expressions and collaborative works between tribal and contemporary artists, including strong participation from the North-East.
Beyond exhibition, TAF includes panel discussions on themes such as Tribal Art Revival & Sustainable Futures, Tribal Art in Contemporary Spaces, and Livelihoods & Market Linkages. The programme also includes participatory workshops, storytelling through tribal arts, illustrated talks and live demonstrations.
Over 100 tribal students pursuing art from across India are being provided curated walkthroughs, mentorship sessions with senior tribal artists, and exposure to live creative processes. A special highlight of TAF 2026 is Project Khum – Rooted in Creativity, conceptualised by Ms. Jai Madan along with tribal artists. “Khum,” meaning flower in Kokborok (Tripura), symbolises blossoming, vitality and full creative expression.
Designed as a participatory installation, tribal women artists collectively transform a shared visual framework into a vibrant artwork through colour, motif and lived tradition. Presented in the spirit of International Women’s Day, the installation foregrounds women’s creativity, leadership and cultural memory, affirming that when women create, culture blossoms.
The 12-day immersive programme includes curated walkthroughs, live painting demonstrations, illustrated talks, thematic panel discussions, artist–student mentorship sessions and daily cultural performances featuring tribal music and dance traditions. A special programme on International Women’s Day will spotlight leadership and entrepreneurship among tribal women artists.
Inclusive workshops for visitors, including sessions for persons with special needs, will further strengthen community participation. The Ministry envisions enhanced national and international recognition of tribal art and culture, strengthened livelihood opportunities through direct market access, and positioning of tribal art as a dignified and sustainable pillar of India’s creative economy.
Open to the public from 3 March 2026, Tribes Art Fest 2026 aligns with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047 and reinforces the Government of India’s commitment to inclusive growth, cultural preservation and sustainable economic empowerment of tribal communities.
The Ministry invites all stakeholders to engage deeply with the festival, support tribal artists through direct purchase, and contribute to advancing cultural equity and prosperity for tribal communities.