National Tribal Literary Festival begins in Delhi today
The two-day event aims to highlight indigenous languages and oral narratives as part of the Janjatiya Gaurav Divas 2026 celebrations.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs began the two-day National Tribal Literary Festival on Thursday in Delhi. Held at Silver Oak, India Habitat Centre, the event gathers poets, writers, scholars, and cultural practitioners from across India.
According to the Hindustan Times, the festival is part of the Janjatiya Gaurav Divas 2026 celebrations, which commemorate the birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
The inaugural session will include Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, Minister of State Durgadas Uikey, NITI Aayog member Joram Aniya, Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti Chairman Chamu Krishna Shastri, and Tribal Affairs Ministry Secretary Ranjana Chopra.
A senior ministry official said the event provides a national stage for tribal voices and emphasizes the role of traditional knowledge and oral stories in India's heritage. The official added that the festival aligns the protection of tribal literature with the Viksit Bharat@2047 vision.
Thematic sessions will cover folklore, myths, proverbs, and women's oral traditions. Discussions will also look at how oral epics help maintain community histories and ecological knowledge.
Another official noted that many tribal languages face difficulties regarding documentation and transmission to younger people. The festival intends to raise awareness of these issues and encourage the preservation of these literary traditions.