President Droupadi Murmu to Inaugurate Darjeeling Hill Festival Celebrating Tribal Heritage

Darjeeling Hill Festival Showcases India’s Tribal Culture and Indigenous Traditions

Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the Darjeeling Hill Festival at the Durbar Hall of Raj Bhavan Darjeeling, recently renamed Lok Bhavan . The festival is envisioned as a major cultural platform celebrating the diversity of India’s tribal traditions and heritage. The initiative was conceptualised by C. V. Ananda Bose, who also serves as Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Indian Museum Kolkata.

The event will bring together museums, universities, cultural centres and non-governmental organisations to highlight the artistic, historical and cultural contributions of indigenous communities across India.

Institutional Collaboration and Festival Vision

The festival has been curated by scholars and experts from the Indian Museum in Kolkata. Several prominent cultural institutions will participate in the programme, including the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Victoria Memorial Hall, Maulana Abul Kalam Institute of Asian Studies, and the Asiatic Society Kolkata.

Through exhibitions, lectures, cultural showcases and educational initiatives, the festival aims to deepen awareness of tribal heritage and traditional knowledge systems.

‘Roots and Rhythm’ Exhibition

A major attraction of the festival will be an exhibition titled “Roots and Rhythm” , which will display rare ethnographic artefacts from the collections of the Indian Museum. The exhibition represents tribal communities from various regions including the North-East, Central India, Eastern India, southern highlands and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The display will feature artefacts such as Adi cane helmets, Naga warrior sculptures, Santhal jewellery, Kondh Dokra metal figurines, Toda embroidered textiles and traditional wooden vessels used by the Onge community. These objects reflect the strong connection between tribal culture, nature and spirituality.

Educational Outreach and Youth Engagement

As part of the festival’s outreach initiatives, the Indian Museum will conduct a Tribal Art Camp for school students from Darjeeling. The programme will introduce young learners to indigenous artistic traditions and encourage creative engagement with tribal culture.

Artists and experts will guide students in understanding traditional craft methods, symbolism in tribal designs and the historical significance of indigenous art forms.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Indian Museum, Kolkata was established in 1814 and is the oldest museum in India.

• Dokra is a traditional metal casting technique widely used by tribal communities in eastern and central India.

• The Toda tribe of the Nilgiri Hills is famous for its distinctive embroidered shawls.

• The Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre promotes cultural traditions of eastern and north-eastern India.

Emphasis on Indigenous Knowledge

India’s tribal communities have developed knowledge systems shaped by centuries of interaction with forests, landscapes and natural resources. Their traditions emphasise sustainability, community cooperation and ecological balance.

By showcasing tribal artefacts, art forms and cultural practices, the Darjeeling Hill Festival seeks to highlight the value of indigenous wisdom while promoting awareness about the importance of preserving tribal heritage within India’s diverse cultural landscape.