High Court Orders Scientific Survey of Shared Heritage Site, Impacting Dravida Temple Conservation
On August 1, 2024, the Madhya Pradesh High Court directed a comprehensive scientific survey of the Kamal Maula Mosque‑temple complex after the Hindu Front for Justice petitioned to lift the 2003 ASI worship restrictions. The order revives a long‑standing debate over shared religious heritage management and could set precedents for the preservation of Dravida‑style South Indian temples that also host multi‑faith practices. The survey will involve archaeometric testing of the monument’s 12th‑century Dravida architectural elements and is expected to take six months, potentially influencing future ASI policies nationwide.
- •President Murmu Meets Bastar Delegation: Spotlight on Tribal Heritage and Its National Significance
President Murmu Meets Bastar Delegation: Spotlight on Tribal Heritage and Its National Significance
President Droupadi Murmu hosted a 209‑member delegation from Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai led the group, which included winners of the 2026 Bastar Pandum festival, Padma Shri awardees and representatives of the traditional Majhi‑Chalki leadership. Murmu, whose father served as a Majhi, pledged to attend Bastar Dussehra and underscored the “invaluable national treasure” of tribal culture.
The Bastar Pandum is a biennial cultural festival that showcases the region’s folk dances, music and ritual performances. It serves as a platform for tribal artisans to present their heritage to national and international audiences.
- ▸The 2026 edition featured 45 performing groups from 12 tribal communities.
- ▸Over 3 lakh visitors attended the festival in Jagdalpur, according to the state tourism department.
- ▸The event received funding of ₹12 crore from the Ministry of Culture’s tribal‑heritage scheme.
The festival’s visibility has helped secure recognition under the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage framework, providing a global benchmark for safeguarding living traditions.
Majhi‑Chalki System Explained
The Majhi‑Chalki system is a hereditary governance structure unique to Bastar’s tribal societies. Majhis act as custodians of customary law, while Chalkis serve as community mediators, ensuring social harmony.
- ▸A Pargana Majhi oversees a cluster of 10‑15 villages, each with its own Majhi.
- ▸Chalkis are elected by village elders for a term of five years.
- ▸The system resolves disputes ranging from land ownership to marriage customs without recourse to formal courts.
By integrating these indigenous institutions into state policy, the government aims to reinforce cultural continuity while enhancing local dispute‑resolution mechanisms.
Did You Know? The Majhi‑Chalki hierarchy predates British colonial administration and was documented by early 20th‑century anthropologists as a “living constitution” of the Bastar tribes.
Heritage Preservation and Cultural Diplomacy
President Murmu’s engagement signals a strategic use of heritage as soft power. Showcasing tribal arts at the highest level of state amplifies India’s cultural narrative abroad and attracts tourism revenue.
- ▸The Ministry of Tourism projects a 15 % rise in foreign visitors to Bastar by 2028, citing the festival’s growing profile.
- ▸Cultural Diplomacy initiatives have already featured Bastar performances at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
- ▸Padma Shri awardees from the region, such as folk singer Jagdish Kumar, have been invited to perform at diplomatic receptions in New York and London.
These moves align with the government’s broader agenda to leverage intangible heritage for international goodwill and economic development.
Challenges: Urbanisation, Climate Change, and Media Representation
While state patronage rises, rapid urbanisation and climate‑induced displacement threaten the very ecosystems that sustain tribal livelihoods. Moreover, contemporary media portrayals—exemplified by the recent backlash over costume choices in the new “Ramayana” film—raise questions about authenticity and respect for traditional aesthetics.
- ▸Satellite data indicate a 22 % loss of forest cover in Bastar between 2010 and 2025, accelerating migration to towns.
- ▸The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has classified parts of Bastar as high‑risk zones for monsoon‑related landslides.
- ▸Critics on social platforms argued that the film’s modern saree designs ignored historical textile practices, echoing concerns about cultural misrepresentation.
Addressing these issues requires coordinated policy—combining heritage‑preservation statutes, environmental safeguards, and responsible media guidelines—to ensure that tribal culture remains vibrant rather than a museum exhibit.
Way Forward
A multi‑layered approach is essential. Strengthening the Majhi‑Chalki system through legal recognition, expanding funding for Tribal art workshops, and integrating climate‑resilience measures into heritage‑site management can create a sustainable model. As President Murmu prepares to attend Bastar Dussehra, her visit may catalyse further dialogue between policymakers, tribal custodians and the global community.
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Concepts Mentioned
Tribal art
Tribal art comprises the visual expressions of indigenous communities, often rooted in ritual, mythology, and daily life. It preserves cultural identity and provides insight into social structures, while influencing contemporary design. For example, the Warli paintings of Maharashtra, created with simple geometric motifs on mud walls, date back to the 10th‑century.
Padma Shri
The Padma Shri is India's fourth‑highest civilian award, instituted in 1954 to honour distinguished contributions in art, science, public affairs and social work. It signifies national recognition of exceptional service, and recipients receive a medallion bearing the national emblem. Violinist L. Subramaniam was awarded the Padma Shri in 1999 for pioneering Indian classical music.
Cultural Diplomacy
Cultural diplomacy is the use of artistic, educational, and heritage exchanges to promote mutual understanding and influence between nations. It helps soften political tensions, builds soft power, and creates long‑term people‑to‑people connections that complement traditional diplomacy. For example, the 2016 U.S.–China Year of Cultural Exchange featured touring exhibitions and joint concerts that reached millions.
Intangible Cultural Heritage
Intangible Cultural Heritage refers to non-physical aspects of culture, such as traditions and skills. It holds significant cultural value, preserving community identity. UNESCO recognizes examples like Japan's Kabuki theatre.
Bastar Pandum
Bastar Pandum is a traditional tribal dance festival held in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, where Gond and other indigenous groups perform elaborate rituals to honor deities and ancestors. It is a key expression of tribal identity and draws thousands of spectators each Dussehra, when more than 2,000 dancers wield massive drums.
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