New Delhi, March 2 (NationPress) - On Monday, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Jual Oram, officially opened the Tribes Art Fest 2026, a vibrant 12-day celebration at Travancore Palace in New Delhi. This event underscores the government's commitment to safeguarding tribal heritage while fostering economic empowerment.

Oram articulated that the Ministry is implementing a holistic strategy for tribal upliftment that marries cultural preservation with socio-economic growth.

He emphasized key initiatives, such as PM JANMAN aimed at Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), DAJGUA for comprehensive benefits, the expansion of Eklavya Model Residential Schools to ensure quality education, and enhanced market connections facilitated by TRIFED.

According to him, platforms like Tribes Art Fest transcend mere celebration by crafting structured market ecosystems that link artists with collectors, galleries, corporations, design institutions, and the public, thus converting cultural heritage into sustainable livelihoods.

This festival, organized in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), showcases over 75 tribal artists and more than 1,000 artworks representing 30 distinct tribal art traditions, as per an official announcement.

During the event, the official TAF Catalogue was launched, providing a curated overview of the participating artists, their art forms, and the showcased works.

The TAF Launch Video, which highlights the festival's vision, scale, and artistic diversity, was released, marking a pivotal moment for the commencement of Tribes Art Fest 2026.

In the cultural segment, the Khmih Creative Society from Shillong, Meghalaya, delivered a captivating performance that showcased tribal musical traditions, harmonizing tribal rhythms and instruments with contemporary patriotic expressions, which received enthusiastic applause from the audience.

Notable attendees included Durgadas Uikey, Minister of State for Tribal Affairs; Ranjana Chopra, Secretary of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs; Manish Thakur, Additional Secretary; Anant Prakash Pandey, Joint Secretary; Sanjeev Kishor Goutam, Director General of the National Gallery of Modern Art; and Poonam Sharma, President of FICCI FLO & Director of Ayurvedant Pvt Ltd.

Union Minister of State Uikey noted that festivals like these offer genuine platforms for tribal communities to display their artistic prowess and heritage on their own terms.

He further remarked that collaborative engagement between artists and broader institutions boosts cultural confidence, enhances visibility, and creates dignified livelihood prospects rooted in community ownership.

Ranjana Chopra, Secretary of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, emphasized that the Tribes Art Fest effectively translates policy into action by anchoring the promotion of tribal art in principles of equity, dignity, and sustainability.

She asserted that India's tribal communities maintain unique artistic traditions that reflect profound knowledge systems, ecological insights, and intergenerational continuity.

The TAF plays a crucial role in enhancing national awareness of these traditions while crafting significant avenues for identity affirmation and economic empowerment, as stated in the official release.

Additionally, TAF endeavors to establish equitable market conditions in which tribal artists receive fair compensation for their creations. By promoting direct interactions with art buyers, galleries, corporate partners, institutions, and the public, the festival facilitates extensive market connections.