New Delhi, 26th February 2026: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) is organizing Tribes Art Fest (TAF) 2026 in collaboration with FICCI and National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Delhi, at Travancore House, New Delhi, from 2nd to 13th March 2026 (open to the public from 3rd– 13th March 2026).
Bringing together more than 70 eminent tribal artists and showcasing more than 1,000 artworks across around 30 tribal art traditions, the festival reflects the vision of Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, emphasizing the commitments to preserving tribal heritage and that tribal art forms, languages and traditions are not merely part of the past but the living heritage of India’s present and future. Guided by this vision, the festival seeks to strengthen the recognition of tribal art and culture while creating meaningful opportunities for identity, dignity and economic empowerment for tribal communities.
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 examine Tribal Art Revival and Sustainable Futures, Tribal Art in Contemporary Spaces, and Livelihoods and Market Linkages, bringing together artists, curators, designers, collectors and institutional representatives to explore pathways from heritage to market. Special programming 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 13th March 2026 with honouring excellence and contribution in tribal art.
The exhibition will feature major tribal arts such as Warli, Dokra, Bhil, Bodo, Koya, Pithora, and others with participation from renowned tribal artists including Japani Shyam, Rajesh Chaitya Vangad, Sudha Kumari, Lado Bai, Kingson Swargiary and Thorrem Venumadhavarao, and many others. By facilitating direct engagement between artists, collectors, galleries, designers, students and the wider public, the festival is expected to strengthen sustainable economic pathways, expand structured market linkages and deepen mainstream cultural participation in tribal art.
Speaking about the festival, Shri Jual Oram, Hon’ble Minister of Tribal Affairs, stated:
“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 is an initiative 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 Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047
