First-of-its-kind initiative to preserve, promote, and empower tribal art and culture
New Delhi, September 10, 2025 — The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched the beta version of “Adi Sanskriti”, a pioneering digital learning platform designed to preserve and promote India’s diverse tribal artforms. The launch took place at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, during the National Conference on Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan, and was formally unveiled by Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Shri Durgadas Uikey.
Touted as the world’s first Digital University for tribal art and culture, Adi Sanskriti aims to blend tradition with technology, offering opportunities for learning, cultural preservation, and livelihood creation.
Three Pillars of Adi Sanskriti
The platform integrates three core components:
Adi Vishwavidyalaya (Digital Tribal Art Academy): Currently offering 45 immersive courses on tribal dance, painting, crafts, music, and folklore.
Adi Sampada (Socio-Cultural Repository): A curated digital library of over 5,000 documents across five themes — paintings, dance, textiles, artefacts, and livelihood.
Adi Haat (Online Marketplace): Linked with TRIFED, this will evolve into a dedicated marketplace for tribal artisans, connecting them directly with consumers and creating sustainable income avenues.
Built with Grassroots Participation
The initiative is being developed in collaboration with State Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs). In the first phase, TRIs from 15 states, including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh, have contributed to content curation and digital mapping of tribal artforms.
Voices from the Launch
Highlighting the importance of the initiative, Shri Durgadas Uikey said:
“From Shiksha to Sampada to Haat – Adi Sanskriti is a holistic platform for preservation, knowledge-sharing, and empowerment. With this launch, anyone can now connect with the treasure of tribal culture, heritage, and livelihoods.”
He also recalled the earlier launch of Adi Vaani, an AI-based translator for tribal languages, and expressed hope that such innovations would soon play a role in governance and democratic forums.
Shri Anant Prakash Pandey, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, described Adi Sanskriti as a milestone for cultural preservation and tribal empowerment in the journey towards Viksit Bharat @2047. He encouraged citizens to explore the portal and share feedback to enrich the platform further.
Vision for the Future
The Ministry stated that the platform will be expanded in phases, with more courses, repositories, and marketplace integration. The long-term goal is to establish Adi Sanskriti as a full-fledged Tribal Digital University, offering certifications, research opportunities, and global access to tribal knowledge systems.
By integrating heritage preservation, education, and economic empowerment, Adi Sanskriti marks a historic step in safeguarding the cultural legacy of India’s tribal communities while equipping them for active participation in the digital age.
