Kumar Bahukhandi
IN short
*The fragrance of Bastar’s soil and its rich tribal culture are ready to leave their mark on the world stage.
*This year, over 54,000 participants have registered, creating a new historical record.
Raipur: Bastar Pandum is a major cultural, community, and nature festival of the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, which preserves and showcases tribal traditions, folk arts, and lifestyle. It features traditional dance, music (Mandar-flute), costumes, folk crafts (wood/bamboo/metal), and traditional cuisine.
This festival is a symbol of Bastar’s self-identity, providing a platform for local artists and connecting the youth to their roots. Participants from various regions will showcase 12 traditional cultural forms of Bastar.
Over 54,000 Participants Registered This Year
This year’s event has shattered all previous records of popularity and has transformed from a mere competition into a grand festival of folk culture.
Looking at the figures, this event is setting a historical record this time. While 15,596 participants registered for the competitions held at the block level in 2025, this year the number has more than tripled, reaching 54,745.
This demonstrates how aware and enthusiastic the people of Bastar are about preserving their roots, traditions, and folk arts. Dantewada district, in particular, has set a record for the highest participation in the entire division with 24,267 registrations, followed by districts like Kanker, Bijapur, and Sukma, which also registered thousands of participants.
Rich Tribal Culture Ready to Leave its Mark on the World Stage
The fragrance of Bastar’s soil and its rich tribal culture are once again ready to leave their mark on the world stage. The divisional-level Bastar Pandum festival is scheduled to be held from February 7th to 9th, 2026, and is generating unprecedented enthusiasm among the residents of the region.
Amidst this overwhelming excitement, all eyes are now on the divisional-level competitions to be held between February 7th and 9th. 84 teams and their 705 selected artists, who have emerged victorious from the tough district-level competitions, will showcase their artistic talents during this time.
The main attractions during these three days will be the rhythmic beats of tribal dances, the melodious echoes of traditional songs, and theatrical performances.
65 artists will play traditional musical instruments
A total of 12 different art forms will be showcased in the competition, with the largest number of participants – 192 artists – performing tribal dances and 134 artists participating in tribal plays. This platform will not be limited to entertainment alone; it will be a unique confluence of Bastar’s knowledge, art, and culinary traditions. While 65 artists will play traditional musical instruments, 56 participants will present delicious tribal cuisine.
In addition, rare medicinal plants of Bastar, paintings, handicrafts, jewelry, and regional literature will also be displayed, introducing the new generation to their rich heritage.
340 women will showcase their skills at the divisional level
Another beautiful aspect of this event is the increasing participation of women. Among the 705 participants who have reached the divisional level, there is a remarkable balance between male and female artists, with 340 women and 365 men.
This participation demonstrates that the women of Bastar are working shoulder to shoulder with men in carrying forward and preserving the culture of Bastar.
Overall, Bastar Pandum 2026, with its grandeur and public participation, is poised to be an unforgettable event.
