Raipur (thestates.news) | With the objective of preserving and promoting the rich folk art, cultural traditions, and traditional knowledge of the tribal-dominated Bastar division, Bastar Pandum 2026 is being organised on the initiative of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai. The event represents a significant effort to encourage and honour tribal artists, while providing them with a wider and dignified platform to showcase and strengthen their cultural identity.
Bastar Pandum brings into focus a wide spectrum of art forms and practices belonging to tribal life. These include folk art and crafts, festivals, food traditions, dialects and languages, customs, attire and ornaments, traditional musical instruments, dance, songs and theatre, indigenous cuisines and beverages, regional literature, and traditional forest-based medicinal knowledge. Along with safeguarding age-old traditions, the festival serves as a living medium to pass this rich heritage on to younger generations.
The concept of Bastar Pandum draws inspiration from traditional community fairs and festivals of tribal society, where art, nature, and social life have always stood at the centre. By giving the festival a structured and competitive format, the state government has created new opportunities for artists to gain recognition, receive public appreciation, and present their work on a dignified platform. Over time, Bastar Pandum has emerged as a symbol of tribal cultural revival and renewed self-expression.
