The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), Ministry of Tribal Affairs, successfully concluded the three-day National Level GI-Tagged Tribal Art Workshop & Exhibition – Cultural Extravaganza today at IGNCA, New Delhi. Held from 24–26 November 2025, the programme brought together 139 EMRS students, 34 Art & Music teachers, and 10 nationally recognised master artisans from across the country.

The initiative aimed to give tribal students hands-on exposure to India’s Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged tribal and traditional art forms, strengthening cultural pride, creativity, and vocational skills.

Day 1 Inaugural Ceremony Highlights

The inaugural session opened with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp. The inaugural session highlighted the cultural depth and heritage value embedded in India’s tribal art traditions. Shri Ajeet Kumar Srivastava, Commissioner, NESTS, formally inaugurated the workshop.

Cultural presentations by EMRS students—including Dhemsa Dance (Odisha), Jaunsari Dance (Uttarakhand), Mizo Folk Dance (Mizoram), vocal folk music (Dadra & Nagar Haveli), and a patriotic song (Madhya Pradesh)—reflected the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat and showcased India’s vibrant tribal performing arts.

Hands-on Training in GI-Tagged Tribal Art Forms

Throughout the workshop, nationally recognised master artisans conducted intensive live demonstrations and hands-on sessions, guiding students in traditional and GI-tagged art forms such as:

• Gond
• Warli
• Madhubani
• Kalamkari
• Pithora
• Cheriyal
• Rogan Painting
• Bastar Dhokra
• Kachchhi Embroidery
• Pichwai
• Aipan
• Rangwali Pichhora
• Kangra, Basholi & Mysore art

The artisans’ mentorship helped students understand the cultural symbolism, traditional motifs, techniques, and philosophical depth behind each art form. This exposure aligns with NEP 2020, which emphasises skill-based, experiential, and art-integrated learning.

Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat in Action

The workshop brought EMRS students from different regions of India together—ranging from the Northeast to Central India, Western India, the Himalayas, and Southern states.

Through:

• shared learning,
• cultural performances,
• collaborative art-making, and
• interactive sessions with artisans,

students developed a deeper sense of unity and cultural appreciation.
The event truly embodied the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, strengthening emotional integration among India’s tribal youth.

Indigenous Knowledge Exchange for Tribal Mainstreaming

The programme served as a national platform for indigenous knowledge exchange, enabling students to engage with:

• traditional artistic narratives,
• community-based symbolic patterns,
• regional folklore,
• and intergenerational wisdom preserved by master artisans.

This culturally rooted learning model supports tribal mainstreaming by empowering students to celebrate their identity while enhancing their creative, academic, and vocational competencies.

Closing Day Exhibition & Valedictory Ceremony

On 26 November, a live exhibition of student-created artworks was opened to visitors. The display featured:

• GI-tagged artworks produced during the workshop,
• demonstrations of GI relevance and processes,
• traditional artefacts crafted by artisans,
• and curated student counters showcasing creativity and craftsmanship.

173 paintings created and exhibited by these EMRS students were all sold. The exhibition was great success.

The valedictory programme was graced by Ms Ranjana Chopra, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, as chief guest, who appreciated the students’ dedication and encouraged them to utilise these skills for future livelihood opportunities along with focusing on their studies. Cultural performances by students from Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Mizoram, Sikkim, and Madhya Pradesh added colour and vibrancy to the closing ceremony.

Awards were conferred upon outstanding student artists and performers.

Public Engagement

A live art workshop for visitors, open between 09:30 AM and 04:00 PM daily, promoted dialogue and awareness about GI-tagged crafts.
Students, researchers, families, and art enthusiasts attended the exhibition across all three days.
 

NESTS’ Continued Commitment

NESTS remains committed to promoting:

• culturally rooted education,
• vocational skill-building,
• preservation of indigenous art traditions,
• creative and entrepreneurial empowerment,
• and holistic development of tribal students.

The GI-Tagged Tribal Art Workshop & Exhibition stands as a milestone in nurturing confident, skilled, and culturally grounded tribal youth—who will continue to be cultural ambassadors of New India.

RN/

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