Pune is set to become a vibrant cultural hub with the launch of Sumba Artfest 2025, the inaugural edition of a dedicated festival focused on the preservation and promotion of India’s tribal art traditions.
Organised by the Sumbaran Art Foundation, Sumba Artfest 2025 will take place from December 15 to December 22 at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre, Ghole Road, from 11 am to 8 pm.
Sumba Artfest 2025 Honours the Legacy of Prof. Raosaheb Gurav
Dedicated to the memory of renowned artist and teacher late Prof. Raosaheb Gurav, Sumba Artfest 2025 pays tribute to his six-decade contribution as a mentor and creator.
Prof. Gurav’s celebrated Dhangar series, inspired by his childhood in Shirol, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, remains a powerful reflection of community life and the natural environment.
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Carrying forward this legacy is his daughter, artist and entrepreneur Chitra Mete, who continues his vision under the guidance of Vinay Phadnis.
Deeply influenced by her father’s lifelong compassion for artists and belief in sustaining traditions, Chitra Mete has envisioned Sumba Artfest 2025 as a platform where artists and art forms receive lasting recognition and support.
Sumba Artfest 2025 Focuses on India’s Tribal Arts
With India home to more than 100 tribal art forms and over 800 tribes, many of which face the risk of extinction, Sumba Artfest 2025 places tribal arts at the centre of its programming.
The festival provides tribal artists with a direct marketplace to showcase, sell, and narrate the stories behind their creations, ensuring that all on-ground sales go directly to the artists without any middlemen.
The responsibility for coordinating participation and managing travel arrangements for tribal artists has been undertaken by Shrikrishna Paranjpe, ensuring inclusive representation from diverse regions.
Festival Components at Sumba Artfest 2025
- Sumba Bazaar: A dynamic space featuring tribal art showcases, live craft demonstrations, performances, and direct interaction between artists and visitors. Attendees can witness art being created and purchase works directly from the creators.
- Sumba Sabha: A curated forum of discussions, retrospectives, and artistic journeys designed to deepen understanding of India’s art traditions and encourage dialogue among artists, scholars, and audiences.
- Sumba Samman: A tribute segment honouring masters whose work has shaped India’s creative heritage. The festival will also revive the Kalanidhi Puraskaar to recognise legendary contributors to the arts.
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Special Highlights of Sumba Artfest 2025
- Live demonstrations by Padma Shri awardees Vasudev Kamat and Achyut Palav
- A painting exhibition featuring Prof. Raosaheb Gurav’s most cherished works
- Tribal art forms being showcased in Maharashtra for the first time
- A landmark declaration for the national art community
- Eight days of immersive cultural engagement for artists, students, tribal communities, and art enthusiasts
Sumba Artfest 2025 brings together classical, contemporary, urban, and tribal art forms on a single platform, reinforcing its commitment to preserving heritage while supporting artists across generations.
