A wide range of initiatives are being implemented across the country to preserve, document and promote tribal cultural heritage, including traditional art forms, languages, customs and oral traditions. The efforts are being carried out through cultural institutions, research programmes and national festivals aimed at protecting India’s diverse tribal legacy.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the government has established seven Zonal Cultural Centres to promote and preserve folk and tribal cultural traditions across different regions of the country. These centres are located in Patiala, Nagpur, Udaipur, Prayagraj, Kolkata, Dimapur and Thanjavur and receive annual financial assistance to organise cultural activities and programmes in their member states.
The Zonal Cultural Centres regularly organise festivals and exhibitions that showcase tribal music, dance, cuisine and traditional crafts. Major events held through these centres include the Hornbill Festival, Octave Festival, Tribal Dance Festival, Adi Bimb, Adi Sapta Pallav, Adi Lok Rang and Adiwasi Mahotsav. These festivals provide a platform for tribal artists to present their heritage while allowing visitors to experience diverse cultural traditions from across India.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs also implements programmes aimed at conserving tribal traditions and strengthening research related to tribal communities. Under the scheme Support to Tribal Research Institutes and the initiative Tribal Research Information Education Communication and Events, various projects are undertaken to document tribal culture, archives, artefacts and customs.
Research institutions, universities and cultural organisations conduct studies, publish books and produce audio visual documentaries on tribal communities under these programmes. The initiative helps create a knowledge base on tribal heritage while ensuring the preservation of valuable historical and cultural records.
Language preservation is another key component of these efforts. Sahitya Akademi awards the annual Bhasha Samman to scholars who contribute to the development and documentation of tribal languages and oral traditions. The Akademi has also established specialised programmes and institutions dedicated to preserving oral and tribal literature.
Among these initiatives is the Centre for Oral and Tribal Literature, which focuses on documenting and promoting oral literary traditions. The Akademi has also established the North East Centre for Oral Literature in Agartala to support languages that exist primarily in oral form.
The centre conducts research, publishes literary material and organises cultural programmes related to oral languages and tribal traditions. These activities help preserve languages that may otherwise face the risk of decline due to limited written documentation.
Sahitya Akademi has also created a Language Development Board that organises language conventions to promote lesser known languages and literary traditions. Conventions have been held for languages such as Awadhi, Banjara, Bundeli, Chakma, Garhwali, Himachali, Kachchi, Kodava, Kumouni, Kurmali, Mising, Rajbansi, Saora, Warli, Rabha, Sadari, Kharia, Baigani, Korku and Nyshi.
Every year on August 9, the Akademi observes the International Day of the World Indigenous Peoples by organising an All India Tribal Writers Meet. The event brings together writers and scholars from tribal communities to promote literary expression and cultural dialogue.
Through its Archives of Indian Literature project, Sahitya Akademi also collects and preserves manuscripts, photographs, audio recordings, video material and portraits connected with Indian writers and literary traditions, including those belonging to tribal communities.
The Zonal Cultural Centres also directly involve tribal artists in cultural programmes organised across the country. These artists are invited to perform and demonstrate traditional skills and are provided honorarium along with travel and accommodation support.
During the year 2025, a total of 6,476 artists, cultural practitioners and communities were supported through these programmes. Officials said such initiatives help sustain traditional art forms while providing livelihood opportunities for artists.
In addition to cultural festivals, the Zonal Cultural Centres organise workshops aimed at preserving traditional art forms that are at risk of disappearing. These workshops focus on tribal dance, music, painting and other cultural expressions and are designed to transfer knowledge to younger generations.
Training programmes are also conducted under the Guru Shishya Parampara scheme, which promotes the traditional method of learning where experienced artists mentor younger practitioners in tribal art forms.
The centres also organise exhibitions displaying tribal costumes, musical instruments, household utensils and traditional objects associated with tribal communities. These exhibitions help visitors and tourists gain a deeper understanding of tribal lifestyles and cultural practices.
Another important initiative is the Research and Documentation Scheme, which supports the preservation of visual and performing arts across disciplines such as music, dance, theatre, literature and fine arts. Under this programme, traditional art forms are documented in print and audiovisual formats to ensure that knowledge about them is preserved for future generations.
These documentation projects are carried out in consultation with state cultural departments and involve recording endangered folk and tribal art forms as well as publishing books, reports and oral histories related to folklore.
Officials said the Zonal Cultural Centres play a central role in preserving and promoting tribal cultural traditions by organising events, supporting artists and documenting heritage practices. Their activities help ensure that the richness and diversity of tribal cultures remain accessible to future generations.
