Kumar Bahukhandi
Bastar Pandum 2026: Bastar’s Traditions to Get a Global Platform
Raipur: With the objective of preserving and promoting the rich folk traditions, tribal culture, art, and heritage of the Bastar region, ‘Bastar Pandum’ will be organised in 2026 in a grand and attractive manner, similar to last year.
A high-level meeting in this regard was held recently at the Chief Minister’s residence office under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. The meeting reviewed the detailed preparations for the event and necessary instructions were given.
Bastar Pandum 2026 is proposed to be held in three phases from January 10, 2026 to February 5, 2026. This includes block-level programs from January 10 to 20, district-level programs from January 24 to 30, and divisional-level programs from February 1 to 5.
This year, the number of categories in Bastar Pandum is being increased from 7 to 12. The categories in which performances and competitions will be held include Bastar tribal dance, songs, drama, musical instruments, costumes and ornaments, ritual practices, crafts, painting, tribal beverages, traditional cuisine, regional literature, and forest-based medicinal plants.
Chief Minister Sai received detailed information from departmental officers regarding the preparations and instructed them to ensure that the event is conducted in a well-organised, dignified, and more effective manner.
He said that Bastar Pandum is a powerful platform for the true spirit and cultural heritage of Bastar, CM noted. .
It was informed in the meeting that the emblem , theme song, and official website of Bastar Pandum 2026 will be launched by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai at the temple premises with the blessings of Maa Danteshwari.
Senior Manjhi-Chalki, Gayta-Pujari, prominent members of the tribal community, and artists honored with Padma awards will be present on this occasion. This time, there was also a discussion about inviting Indian ambassadors serving in various countries to the event, so that they could be introduced to the unique cultural heritage, traditions, and tribal life of Bastar.
It was also decided to invite high-ranking officials from the Bastar division, officers selected through the UPSC and CGPSC examinations, doctors, engineers, senior public representatives, and tribal dance troupes from various states of the country.
The registration of participants is proposed to be done through both online and offline modes this time, to ensure maximum participation of artists and groups.
It is worth mentioning that the programs will be organised with the objective of preserving and promoting the art, crafts, festivals, cuisine, dialects, ornaments, traditional musical instruments, dance and music, drama, regional literature, forest medicines, and sacred groves of the Bastar region.
Under this initiative, the event will be organised in three phases across 1,885 Gram Panchayats, 32 Janpad Panchayats, 8 Municipalities, 12 Nagar Panchayats, and 1 Municipal Corporation area in the seven districts of the Bastar division.
The Department of Culture and Official Language has been designated as the nodal department for this event.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, Tourism Minister Rajesh Agarwal, Culture Secretary Rohit Yadav, Chief Minister’s Secretary Rahul Bhagat, Director Vivek Acharya, and other officials were present at the meeting.
