India’s Rich Tribal Art Heritage Comes Alive At Tribes Art Fest 2026

Prachi Khandelwal

Colourful canvases, intricate murals, metal crafts—each telling a story, a tale of forests, festivals, daily life and folklores of India’s varied tribes—the inaugural edition of India’s ongoing Tribes Art Fest 2026 at Travancore Palace, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi, has much for art lovers and culture enthusiasts alike.

Over 70 artists representing more than 30 tribal art traditions from across India are displaying their handcrafted works at the fest organised by the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs in collaboration with the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) and FICCI.

A first-of-its-kind Tribes Art Fest, the 12-day show that began on March 3, will continue till March 13, providing a national platform to tribal artists to showcase their work, interact with art enthusiasts, participate in discussions, and also connect directly with buyers.

Entry to the fest is free for all!

What’s on Display

Warli from Maharashtra, Gond from Madhya Pradesh, Bhil from MP, Rajasthan and Gujarat, Dokra from West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Odisha, Sohrai from Jharkhand, Koya from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh), Kurumba from Tamil Nadu, Saura from Odisha, Bodo from Assam and North-East, Oraon from Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, Mandana from Rajasthan and MP, Godna from Bihar, MP and Chhattisgarh, bamboo crafts from the North-East, Travancore Palace is beautifully demonstrating India’s cultural diversity through a range of tribal art forms.

Assistant curator Aditya Jha says the festival has artists participating from almost every Indian state. However, the representation is more from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

“This is the first time such a festival is being organised at this scale. Artists are getting direct exposure to buyers, and the government is not taking even a single penny from their sales,” he informs.

Celebrating Tribal Women

At the Tribes Art Fest 2026, artists, visitors and collectors have come together under one roof, not just celebrating tribal creativity but also opening new opportunities for artists to connect with a wider audience. The icing on the cake is the strong focus on women artists and entrepreneurship.

Assistant curator Aditya Jha highlights that many of the participating artists at the fest are women. Their artworks explore themes such as mythology, everyday life, harvest festivals, and tribal traditions, while also promoting sustainability and cultural storytelling.

The HB Team also observed that the number of women artists showcasing their work is notably higher than that of men.

The Tribal Affairs Ministry has scheduled a special event on International Women’s Day to spotlight leadership and entrepreneurship among tribal women artists, celebrating their growing role in preserving and promoting indigenous art traditions.

Director's Message

Speaking to Happening Bazaar, Deepali Masirkar, Director, Tribal Freedom Fighter Museum (TFFM), Livelihood & Skilling, Entrepreneurship Development & VCF, Centre of Excellence- Adi Vaani, Adi Sanskriti, says the initiative is meant to bring tribal art into the mainstream.

“We wanted to provide a national platform to tribal artists so that people can appreciate their rich and diverse art forms. The idea is to give them exposure, help them understand the market and also enable younger artists to learn from senior tribal artists,” she says.

Encouraging people from Delhi-NCR to visit the festival, Masirkar adds, “People should come and support these artists by buying their work. It will help sustain their livelihoods and motivate them to continue their craft.”

Meet The Artists

For many artists, the festival has already brought encouraging results. Nirmala Bhabore, a 22-year-old artist from Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh, says she’s thrilled as two of her Bhil artworks are already sold out. “My two biggest paintings from the showcase got sold out — one for Rs 25,000 and another for Rs 2,500. I’m really happy. Platforms like this, provided by the government, help artists like us reach more people,” she says.

Another participant, Saroj Venkat Shyam from Bhopal, who practices Gond-Pradhan art, describes the experience as rewarding. “It has been a really good experience. The response from visitors is very positive, and people from every age group — especially youth and senior citizens — are coming to see the artworks,” says she.

Showcasing her detailed Bheel Art and paintings, Galli Bai Bhabore from Jabhua says, “I have artworks from Rs 600 to Rs 20,000. It is affordable and for everyone. I love depicting stories through art and people love it too. All thanks to the government for this fest and for supporting us.” 

A Delighted Foreign Visitor

Kris Harrington, an art enthusiast from the United States, who is currently based in Delhi, says she learnt about the festival from social media and did not want to miss it.

“I love meeting the artisans as much as the art itself. It’s wonderful to interact with them and hear the stories behind their work. I think everyone who can should come here and support these artists,” she said.