CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: In a seminar titled “Design in the Context of Tribal Art” held at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Bhopal, the keynote speaker, Vasant Nirgune, retired Survey Officer of the Madhya Pradesh Tribal Folk Art Council, Department of Culture Bhopal, said, “Tribal art and culture are so vast that it is impossible to understand them in just one lifetime.”
An experienced academician, cultural philosopher, and supporter of indigenous knowledge systems, Vasant Nirgune mentioned during the seminar that “tribal communities, not gaining knowledge from institutions or colleges, acquire art and knowledge directly from life” and that “tribals, due to their inherent concept of living separately, never imitate others, except for their own sub-tribe.” He added, “All tribal art, language, culture, songs, and music are distinct from one tribe to another, and their scripts are derived from ancient cave painting art (such as the UNESCO World Heritage site Bhimbetka).”
The seminar featured other panelists, including Director B.R. Satpute, Regional Organizer of the Tribal Research and Development Institute, Bhopal, Archana Jain, Director of Jinshakh Enterprises Private Limited, Deepa Dixit, President of Ragini Foundation, and NIFT Bhopal faculty members: Supriya Yadav, Associate Professor, NIFT Bhopal, Fashion and Lifestyle Accessories (F&LA), Anupam Saxena, Associate Professor, NIFT Bhopal, Cluster Initiative Coordinator (CIC), and Latika Bhatt, Assistant Professor, NIFT Bhopal, Textile Design (TD).
As a summary of the seminar, it was emphasized that tribal art can be preserved in a sustainable way, ensuring its continued relevance. Tribal art is inspired by nature and is predominantly used in textile design. It should be promoted to reach the middle-income groups, increasing awareness of the art and providing livelihood opportunities for artists.
The event included an exhibition, panel discussion, and a Q&A session. Present at the seminar were Lt. Colonel Ashish Agarwal, Director of NIFT Bhopal, and Mr. Akhil Sahay, Joint Director of NIFT Bhopal, along with all the officials, faculty members, staff, and students. The seminar was organized with the coordination of Ms. Supriya Yadav, Associate Professor and Nodal Officer.
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