Slew of festivals to celebrate tribal arts, music, culture and commerce in March

Join the celebration of tribal arts, music, and culture at New Delhi's March festivals, empowering communities and showcasing heritage.

The Tribal Affairs Ministry on Saturday (February 28, 2026) announced a slate of events to be held this March in the national capital to celebrate tribal culture and commerce, including a Tribes Art Fest, a Living Roots music festival, and the Bharat Tribes Fest 2026.

“By bringing together art, music, enterprise development and strategic collaboration within one coordinated framework, the Ministry seeks to ensure that tribal communities are empowered participants in India’s cultural and economic transformation,” Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram said at a press conference.

He also unveiled the logos for the festivals, noting that “these programmes reaffirm the Government of India’s commitment to safeguarding tribal identity, strengthening livelihoods, expanding market access and positioning tribal heritage at the centre of India’s inclusive growth narrative”.

The Tribes Art Fest will be held at the Travancore Palace art gallery in New Delhi from March 2 to 13, the Minister said, adding that it would bring together over 70 tribal artists and showcase over 1,000 artworks from 30 distinct tribal art forms from across the country. This event will include “curated walkthroughs, live painting demonstrations, illustrated talks, mentorship workshops, participatory sessions, and panel discussions,” a government statement said.

The Living Roots Music Festival is scheduled to be held over two days in New Delhi from March 13 to 15, and will have daytime sessions at the Bikaner House and evening programmes at Kartavya Path. While the daytime sessions will focus on keynote addresses, immersive showcases, panel discussions on preservation and innovation, and focused sessions on intellectual property rights, ownership and ethical collaboration, the evening programme will feature 15 curated performances that are meant to represent “diverse regions and traditions and bring tribal soundscapes to one of India’s most iconic public spaces”.

This will be followed by the Bharat Tribes Fest 2026, a rebranded version of the Ministry’s earlier Adi Mahotsav tribal product showcase, which will be held this year at Sunder Nursery from March 18 to 30. The government said that this “will serve as a comprehensive national marketplace and cultural platform, with participation of more than 1,000 tribal artisans, Van Dhan Vikas Kendras, tribal chefs and cultural troupes, showcasing art, craft and cuisine across more than 200 curated stalls.” It will also host an international pavilion, featuring indigenous artists from Australia, Fiji, and Vietnam.