New Delhi, Feb 26: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) will organize Tribes Art Fest (TAF) 2026 in collaboration with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Delhi, at Travancore Palace from March 2 to March 13, 2026. The festival will be open to the public from March 3–13, 2026.
Bringing together more than 70 eminent tribal artists and showcasing over 1,000 artworks across nearly 30 tribal art traditions, Tribes Art Fest 2026 reflects the vision of Narendra Modi, emphasizing the commitment to preserving tribal heritage and reinforcing that tribal art forms, languages, and traditions are living expressions of India’s cultural identity.
A 12-Day Immersive Cultural Platform
Over twelve days, TAF 2026 will host curated walkthroughs, mentorship workshops for tribal art students, panel discussions, illustrated talks, live demonstrations, participatory workshops, and daily cultural performances.
Thematic panels will explore:
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Tribal Art Revival and Sustainable Futures
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Tribal Art in Contemporary Spaces
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Livelihoods and Market Linkages
These discussions will bring together artists, curators, designers, collectors, and institutional representatives to examine pathways connecting heritage with sustainable markets.
A special programme marking International Women’s Day will spotlight tribal women artists through participatory sessions and a live women-led painting demonstration, reinforcing women’s leadership within the tribal cultural ecosystem. The festival will conclude on March 13, 2026, with a ceremony recognizing excellence and contributions in tribal art.
Celebrating India’s Tribal Art Traditions
The exhibition will feature major tribal art forms such as Warli, Dokra, Bhil, Bodo, Koya, and Pithora, among others. Renowned tribal artists including Japani Shyam, Rajesh Chaitya Vangad, Sudha Kumari, Lado Bai, Kingson Swargiary, and Thorrem Venumadhavarao will participate, alongside many other distinguished practitioners.
By enabling direct engagement between artists, collectors, galleries, designers, students, and the wider public, the festival aims to strengthen sustainable economic pathways, expand structured market linkages, and deepen mainstream cultural participation in tribal art.
Statement from the Minister
Speaking about the festival, Jual Oram, Minister of Tribal Affairs, said:
“The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has consistently prioritized the promotion of tribal art and culture alongside strengthening the livelihoods of tribal artists. Through exhibitions, market facilitation, capacity-building initiatives, and institutional collaborations, we are building an ecosystem that connects tribal artists to national and global platforms. Tribes Art Fest 2026 embodies this vision — ensuring that tribal art is preserved, promoted, and mainstreamed in India’s cultural and creative economy. The festival will expand market opportunities, enhance national visibility, and reinforce dignity and economic resilience for our artists.”
By integrating curated exhibitions, structured dialogue, mentorship, academic engagement, and public participation within a single national platform, Tribes Art Fest 2026 aims to significantly amplify tribal art in mainstream cultural discourse, strengthen institutional market linkages, and contribute to the sustainable growth of India’s tribal creative economy — aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047.