Tribes Art Fest (TAF) 2026, a national festival celebrating India’s diverse tribal art traditions, will be held at Travancore Palace, from March 2 to 13. Organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in collaboration with FICCI and the National Gallery of Modern Art, the festival brings together tribal artists, artworks, and cultural practitioners on a national platform. The exhibition will be open to the public from March 3 onwards.
Featuring more than 70 tribal artists and over 1,000 artworks representing around 30 tribal art traditions, the festival reflects the vision to preserve and promote tribal heritage as a living cultural legacy. The initiative aims to strengthen recognition of tribal art while supporting artists through visibility, cultural exchange, and economic opportunities.
The exhibition will include major tribal art forms such as Warli, Bhil, Dokra, Pithora, and Bodo, with participation from noted artists including Japani Shyam, Rajesh Chaitya Vangad, Sudha Kumari, Lado Bai, Kingson Swargiary, and Thorrem Venumadhavarao, among others. The festival is designed to create direct engagement between artists, collectors, designers, students, and the public, fostering sustainable livelihoods and market linkages.
Alongside the exhibition, the 12-day programme will include live painting demonstrations, curated walkthroughs, mentorship workshops, panel discussions, illustrated talks, and daily cultural performances. Special sessions will focus on the role of tribal art in contemporary spaces, sustainable futures, and economic empowerment. A dedicated programme around International Women’s Day will highlight the contributions and leadership of tribal women artists.
Speaking about the festival, Jual Oram said, “The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has consistently prioritised the promotion of tribal art and culture alongside strengthening the livelihoods of tribal artists. Tribes Art Fest 2026 embodies this vision by expanding market opportunities, enhancing national visibility, and reinforcing dignity and economic resilience for our artists.”
The festival will conclude on March 13 with a ceremony honouring excellence and contributions in tribal art, reinforcing its role in strengthening India’s tribal cultural ecosystem.
When: March 2–13
Where: Travancore Palace, New Delhi
