Tribes Art Festival 2026 celebrates soul of tribal heritage
The Tribes Art Festival 2026, being held in the national capital, is exhibiting thousands of artworks by over 70 eminent tribal artists from across India.
Gond, Warli, Sohrai, Dokra, Bhil, Bodo, Koya, and Pithora tribal artists are participating in the event, showcasing the country’s rich tribal heritage, art, and cultural vibrancy. The festival runs from March 2 to 13 at Travancore House.
Artist Ram Singh Urveti, whose painting priced at Rs 1,50,000 is on display, said such platforms are crucial for making tribal art visible both nationally and internationally.
“My painting portrays a huge tree interspersed with folklore. It took me two months to complete, with intricate details. It is a black-and-white piece where I have used pens of different nibs, which itself is a labour-intensive task,” he said.
“Such platforms are also important for building the economic resilience of tribal artists. Our art is more valued, and we fetch a good price when we integrate culture, commerce and corporate partnerships,” Urveti added.
Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram said the festival aims to create a long-term socio-economic impact by positioning tribal communities at the centre of “cultural preservation, enterprise development, and national growth”.
“From traditional forms to modern art, painting has evolved over centuries. The Ministry takes pride in promoting and preserving tribal art at risk of extinction while advancing tribal development,” he said after inaugurating the event.
Oram added that his ministry is pursuing an integrated approach to tribal empowerment that combines cultural preservation with socio-economic development. He highlighted major initiatives such as the PM JANMAN for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), DAJGUA for benefit saturation, the expansion of Eklavya Model Residential Schools for quality education, and strengthened market linkages through TRIFED.
“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,” he said.
The festival also features contemporary expressions and collaborative works between tribal and contemporary artists, with strong participation from the North-East. 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.
Talking to The Tribune, Kingson Swargiary, an artist from Assam’s Bodoland, said his painting titled ‘Harmony’ is on display and reminds him of home.
“The painting depicts how flora and fauna live in complete harmony with nature. It reminds me of home as I live far away in the city for work. I have also explored themes of migration, survival, and identity through my paintings. Bright colours dominate my canvas, with occasional browns and dark blues to convey deep emotions,” he said.
