Raipur. Chhattisgarh Forest and Cooperation Minister Kedar Kashyap announced that President Draupadi Murmu will be arriving in Bastar on February 7th for the inaugural ceremony of the Bastar Pandum 2026 program. Mr. Kashyap stated that the rich tribal culture of Bastar, Chhattisgarh, is poised to once again make its mark on the world stage. Residents of the region are excited about the upcoming division-level Bastar Pandum 2026, scheduled to be held from February 7th to 9th. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will attend the closing ceremony.
Kashyap stated that Bastar Pandum showcases tribal heritage through 12 traditional forms (dance, music, and crafts). Organized in three phases at the district, district, and division levels, the 12 major forms include Bastar tribal dance, song, drama, crafts, painting, traditional cuisine, and herbal medicine. Mr. Kashyap stated that this event vividly showcases the spirit and community life of Bastar. The Bastar Pandum aims to provide a larger platform for local folk culture. Bastar Pandum sends a clear message that Bastar's culture is still alive and proud. This event is a milestone in the preservation of tribal cultural heritage. Mr. Kashyap stated that Bastar's tribal art, culture, and traditions have gained global recognition. The spontaneous participation of people in Bastar Pandum is a clear indication that Bastar's youth are now ready to emerge from the dark tunnels of Naxalite terror and shape their future in the light of a new sunrise in a fearless environment of development, peace, and security.
Kashyap explained that while in 2025, 15,596 participants registered their attendance in the block-level competitions, this year the number has more than tripled to 54,745 across all seven districts. The increase in the number of participants clearly demonstrates the enthusiasm of the people of Bastar to preserve their roots, traditions, and folk arts. Dantewada district recorded the highest participation in the entire division with 24,267 registrations, followed by thousands of participants from districts like Kanker, Bijapur, and Sukma. Eighty-four teams and their 705 selected artists, who have won the rigorous district-level competition, will showcase their artistic talents. Mr. Kashyap stated that during these three days, the atmosphere of Bastar will be filled with the rhythms of tribal dances, the echoes of traditional songs, local cuisine, beverages, and theatrical performances. In this event, 192 artists will showcase their skills in tribal dance and 134 in other forms including tribal drama. On one hand, 65 artists will play the tunes of traditional instruments, while on the other hand, 56 participants will fill the atmosphere with the aroma of delicious tribal cuisine.
He said that another beautiful aspect of this event is the increasing participation of women. Among the 705 participants who reached the divisional level, there is a striking balance between the number of female and male artists. These include 340 women and 365 men. Mr. Kashyap said that this participation shows that women here are walking shoulder to shoulder with men in promoting and preserving Bastar's culture. Overall, Bastar Pandum 2026 is poised to become an unforgettable event with its grandeur and public participation.