IN A bid to promote rich folk traditions, tribal culture, art and heritage of the Bastar region, ‘Bastar Pandum 2026’ will be held from January 10 to February 5. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai held a meeting with the officers to review the preparations for the Bastar Pandum-2026 at Chief Minister’s House in the state capital. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma and Culture Minister Rajesh Agrawal were present on the occasion. ‘Bastar Pandum 2026’ will be conducted in three phases.

 

The block-level events will be held from January 10 to 20. District-level programmes will be held from January 24 to 30. Divisional-level events will be conducted from February 1 to 5. This year, the number of cultural disciplines featured at the 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.

 

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. 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 has been 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.

 

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. Secretary of Culture Department Rohit Yadav, Secretary to Chief Minister Rahul Bhagat, Director of Culture Department Vivek Acharya and other senior officials attended the meeting