The Ministry of Culture played a pivotal role in the successful organization of the Tribal Business Conclave 2025, held at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi. The Conclave served as a vibrant platform to celebrate the artistic excellence, literary diversity, and creative enterprise of India’s tribal communities, aligning with the spirit of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh and the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

Organized jointly by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and the Ministry of Culture, the Conclave marked a landmark moment during Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, commemorating the 150^th Birth Anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. The event was supported by FICCI as the Industry Partner, PRAYOGI Foundation as the Knowledge Partner, and TICCI as the Supporting Partner.

The Conclave was inaugurated by Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Shri Durgadas Uikey who also inaugurated the Theme Pavilion curated by the Ministry of Culture. In the inaugural session, Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary, IGNCA, highlighted the importance of connecting cultural heritage with enterprise to strengthen the nation’s creative economy and promote sustainable livelihoods.

The valedictory function was graced by Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Shri Jual Oram, and Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Shri Durgadas Uikey alongside senior officials from DPIIT, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, industry leaders, investors, and over 250 tribal entrepreneurs from across India.

The Theme Pavilion, designed as a confluence of India’s indigenous art and heritage, featured captivating exhibits presented by three leading cultural institutions under the Ministry of Culture:

• Lalit Kala Akademi showcased a collection of tribal and folk paintings, sculptures, and installations depicting the harmonious relationship between human life and nature. A bust of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, sculpted by a tribal artist, stood as a centrepiece, symbolizing the pride and resilience of India’s tribal communities.

• Sahitya Akademi displayed select works of tribal writers, oral narratives, and translated texts, reflecting the linguistic and imaginative wealth of India’s tribal literature and emphasizing the need to preserve and promote indigenous languages.

• Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) presented intricate tribal crafts, traditional art forms, and live artisan demonstrations, highlighting the integration of creative pedagogy, community skill development, and cultural sustainability.

A key highlight of the Conclave was the panel discussion organized by the Ministry of Culture, titled “Tribal Heritage to Enterprise: Promoting Sustainable Entrepreneurship.” The session was moderated by Dr. Rahul Kumar, Deputy Director, CCRT, and brought together eminent voices from art, literature, and academia, including Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary, IGNCA; Prof. S.M. Patnaik, University of Delhi; Shri Mahadeo Toppo, Member, Sahitya Akademi; Shri Ranendra Singh, former Director, Tribal Research Institute; Shri Kartik Gaggar, Founder & CEO, Rooftop; and Shri Rajesh Vangad, renowned Warli artist.

The panel underscored the role of culture as a catalyst for sustainable livelihoods. Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi observed that the loss of script often leads to the erosion of meaning in indigenous traditions, while Prof. Patnaik called for a narrative-driven approach to preserving intangible heritage. Writers Ranendra and Toppo emphasized that tribal languages must evolve as living instruments of creativity, and Kartik Gaggar highlighted the need to make tribal art accessible to younger audiences. Artist Rajesh Vangad beautifully described Warli as “a visual language of storytelling, not merely patterns and shapes.”

Complementing the discussions, the cultural performances curated by the Ministry of Culture during the inaugural and valedictory sessions presented an evocative blend of tribal dance, music, and narrative theatre. Each performance drew from regional traditions and symbolized the collective strength, resilience, and artistry of India’s tribal communities. The closing session was marked by a spectacular group presentation, “Lok Dhwani: Tribal Renditions in Motion and Music,” which beautifully showcased the harmony between rhythm, movement, and community spirit in India’s tribal heritage.

Through its participation in the Tribal Business Conclave 2025, the Ministry of Culture reaffirmed its commitment to positioning culture at the heart of India’s development discourse, linking heritage with innovation, art with entrepreneurship, and creativity with community empowerment.

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Sunil Kumar Tiwari

pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

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