Bastar’s Tribal Heritage Receives Historic Honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan

President Droupadi Murmu receives a floral welcome from Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai as Union Home Minister Amit Shah looks on during the Bastar delegation’s special programme at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday July 30, 2026 -Photo Credit-primelookindia.com via CMO .

Key Factors

• A 209-member Bastar delegation was welcomed at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
• The group included Bastar Pandum 2026 winners, Manjhis, Chalkis, Padma Shri awardees and tribal representatives.
• President Droupadi Murmu hosted a special meal and personally served food to guests.
• The President expressed interest in attending Bastar Dussehra and Bastar Pandum.
• President Murmu praised Bastar’s traditional leadership and cultural heritage.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah described the gathering as an extraordinary display of tribal pride.
• Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai called the occasion historic for Chhattisgarh.
• A special artwork based on the 300-year-old Jhitku-Mitki folk legend was presented to the President.
• The event highlighted Bastar’s emerging identity of peace, development, culture and opportunity.

President Droupadi Murmu hosts Bastar Pandum winners and traditional tribal representatives; 209-member delegation led by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai showcases the region’s culture, peace and transformation

New Delhi/ Raipur: Bastar’s vibrant tribal traditions, folk culture and centuries-old systems of community leadership received national recognition at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday July 30, 2026 as President Droupadi Murmu welcomed a 209-member delegation from Chhattisgarh led by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai presents President Droupadi Murmu with a special artwork based on Bastar’s centuries-old Jhitku-Mitki folk legend during the delegation’s visit to Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday July 30, 2026 -Photo Credit-primelookindia.com via CMO

The delegation included winners of Bastar Pandum 2026, Paragana Manjhis, Manjhis, Chalkis, Padma Shri awardees, tribal artists, community representatives, elected leaders and senior government officials.

President Droupadi Murmu honours women artists and tribal representatives from Bastar during the special cultural gathering at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday July 30, 2026 -Photo Credit-primelookindia.com via CMO .

The gathering marked a rare cultural occasion at the country’s highest constitutional institution, where representatives dressed in traditional Bastar attire presented the region’s social customs, artistic traditions and changing development story.

President Droupadi Murmu personally serves food to a tribal woman from Bastar, reflecting the warmth and dignity extended to the delegation at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday July 30, 2026 -Photo Credit-primelookindia.com via CMO

President Murmu hosted a special meal in honour of the delegation and personally served food to several guests, creating an emotional moment for the representatives.

“Bastar’s cultural heritage is an invaluable part of India’s civilisation, and its preservation is a responsibility shared by the entire country.”
— President Droupadi Murmu

During her interaction with the delegation, the President learned about Bastar’s traditional leadership structure, the Manjhi-Chalki system, folk arts and the cultural significance of Bastar Pandum.

President Droupadi Murmu greets Bastar’s women artists dressed in traditional attire as the delegation showcases the region’s cultural richness at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday July 30, 2026 -Photo Credit-primelookindia.com via CMO

The president described the festival as a living celebration of Chhattisgarh’s tribal traditions and said such events help connect younger generations with their roots while supporting tourism, local employment and economic activity.

President Expresses Desire to Visit Bastar

Responding to an invitation from Chief Minister Sai, President Murmu expressed her desire to participate in Bastar Dussehra and Bastar Pandum in the future.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah presents a floral bouquet to President Droupadi Murmu during the programme honouring Bastar’s traditional leaders, artists and community representatives at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday July 30, 2026-Photo Credit-primelookindia.com via CMO

President Murmu said Bastar Dussehra holds a special place in her heart and referred to its distinctive traditions, including the ceremonial wooden representation of Lord Jagannath.

Recalling her own family background, the President said the Manjhis were like members of her family and that her father had also served as a Manjhi. She praised traditional tribal leadership institutions for promoting social unity, community participation and cultural preservation.

Bastar Moving Towards Peace and Development

President Murmu said sustained government initiatives and community participation were helping Bastar advance towards a new era of peace, development and prosperity.

President Droupadi Murmu ,Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief minister Vijay Sharma serve food to members of the Bastar delegation during a special meal hosted in honour of tribal representatives and Bastar Pandum winners at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday July 30, 2026-photo Credit-primelookindia.com via CMO

Murmu appreciated the expansion of roads, schools, electricity, drinking water and other essential services, describing Bastar’s positive transformation as a matter of pride for the country.

“Bastar is moving forward with a new identity rooted in peace, development, cultural confidence and prosperity.”
— President Droupadi Murmu

The President also acknowledged the role of Manjhis and Chalkis as an important bridge between the administration and local communities.

Amit Shah Calls the Gathering a Remarkable Cultural Moment

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, who attended the programme, said he had visited Rashtrapati Bhavan on numerous occasions but had never before witnessed such a large delegation from Bastar in traditional tribal attire gathered there.

He described the sight as a powerful representation of India’s cultural diversity and tribal pride.

“For the first time, Rashtrapati Bhavan has witnessed Bastar’s tribal heritage in such extraordinary splendour.”
— Union Home Minister Amit Shah

Moment of Pride for Chhattisgarh: CM Sai

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai described the meeting as a historic and proud moment for Chhattisgarh, particularly for the people of Bastar.

He said the region’s tribal traditions, folk heritage and social institutions had received recognition on the country’s highest constitutional platform.

Sai said Bastar was steadily emerging with a new identity based on peace, development and cultural revival. Initiatives such as Bastar Pandum, he added, had created a national platform for indigenous artists and traditions.

“Today, Bastar’s cultural heritage has been honoured at the nation’s highest constitutional institution. It is a moment of immense pride for the entire state.”
— Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai

The Chief Minister formally invited the President to visit Bastar, saying her presence would further encourage tribal communities and bring wider national attention to the region’s heritage.

300-Year-Old ‘Jhitku-Mitki’ Artwork Presented

Chief Minister Sai presented President Murmu with a specially crafted artwork based on the nearly 300-year-old Bastar folk legend of Jhitku and Mitki.

President Droupadi Murmu, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, Culture Minister Rajesh Agarwal and other dignitaries pose with Bastar Pandum artists and tribal representatives during the historic gathering at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday July 30, 2026-Photo Credit-primelookindia.com via CMO .

The artwork symbolises tribal culture, love, sacrifice, faith and social harmony. According to local tradition, Jhitku and Mitki became revered figures because of their sacrifice and devotion during a severe famine. They continue to be worshipped in parts of Bastar as Khodia Raja and Gappa Dei.

The delegation also toured Rashtrapati Bhavan and learned about its constitutional, democratic and historical significance.

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, Culture and Tourism Minister Rajesh Agrawal, senior officials and representatives of Bastar’s traditional communities participated in the programme.