President Droupadi Murmu’s eyes lit up as she explored the vibrant tribal art exhibition at Bastar Pandum’s launch event. This grand display of Chhattisgarh’s indigenous creativity offered a deep dive into the region’s cultural soul, blending tradition with artistry.
Interacting warmly with artisans, Murmu learned the nuances of each craft, from metalwork to weaving. She hailed the festival as a vital initiative to safeguard and propagate tribal heritage worldwide.
At the forefront was Dhokra, a lost-wax marvel using samadi soil, wax threads, and furnaces to craft evocative statues of deities and wildlife—purely handmade treasures of tribal metallurgy.
Terracotta brought folklore to clay form, capturing village rituals and beliefs. Wood carvings, etched on sal and sivanar timber, depicted mythological tales with exquisite detail via traditional tools.
Sisal and jute crafts added rustic elegance, bamboo products blended function with beauty, and iron forging showcased sturdy, artistic implements. Tribal jewelry, adorned with pearls and conch shells, represented social customs and pride.
Tumba art transformed gourds into rhythmic instruments and decor. Live demonstrations of tribal costumes by Maria, Muria, and other groups highlighted regional diversity, paired with stalls of millet-based laddus, chutneys, and fermented drinks.
Lively folk paintings chronicled Bastar’s ecology, history, and ethos, including literary exhibits. The President’s visit amplifies calls for economic empowerment through these crafts, ensuring their legacy endures.