Team News Riveting
Raipur, December 28
With the objective of preserving and promoting the rich folk traditions, tribal culture, art and heritage of the Bastar region, the Bastar Pandum will once again be organised in a grand and vibrant manner in 2026, on the lines of last year’s successful edition.
A high-level review meeting on the preparations for Bastar Pandum 2026 was held at the Chief Minister’s residence on Saturday, chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. The meeting reviewed the detailed arrangements for the event, and necessary directions were issued to ensure a well-coordinated and impactful festival.
The Bastar Pandum 2026 is proposed to be organised in three phases, from January 10 to February 5, 2026. The block-level events will be held from January 10 to 20, district-level programmes from January 24 to 30, and divisional-level events from February 1 to 5.
This year, the number of cultural disciplines featured at Bastar Pandum will be increased from seven to twelve. The disciplines include Bastar tribal dance, folk songs, theatre, traditional musical instruments, costumes and jewellery, worship rituals, handicrafts, painting, tribal beverages, traditional cuisine, regional literature and forest-based medicinal knowledge.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister received a detailed briefing from departmental officials and directed that the festival be organised in a structured, dignified and more impactful manner. He said that Bastar Pandum is a powerful platform representing the true spirit and cultural soul of Bastar.
It was also informed that the logo, theme song and official website of Bastar Pandum 2026 will be unveiled by the Chief Minister at the temple premises with the blessings of Maa Danteshwari. Senior tribal leaders including Manjhi–Chalki, Gayata–Pujari, prominent members of the tribal community and Padma awardees will be present on the occasion.
The meeting also discussed inviting Indian ambassadors posted in various countries, with the aim of familiarising them with Bastar’s unique cultural heritage, traditions and tribal way of life. It was also decided to invite senior officers originally from the Bastar division, officers selected through UPSC and CGPSC, doctors, engineers, senior public representatives, and tribal dance troupes from different states across the country.
To ensure wider participation, it is proposed that participant registration will be facilitated through both online and offline modes, enabling the inclusion of a larger number of artists and cultural groups.
It was also noted that the festival will be organised to promote and preserve Bastar’s art, crafts, festivals, cuisine, dialects, ornaments, traditional musical instruments, dance, music, theatre, regional literature, forest-based medicinal knowledge and sacred groves. The three-phase programme will be conducted across 1,885 gram panchayats, 32 janpad panchayats, eight municipalities, 12 nagar panchayats and one municipal corporation spread over the seven districts of the Bastar division.
The Department of Culture and Rajbhasha has been designated as the nodal department for organising the event.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, Tourism Minister Rajesh Agrawal, Culture Secretary Rohit Yadav, Chief Minister’s Secretary Rahul Bhagat, Director Vivek Acharya, and other senior officials.
