Written by Anusree K CNew Delhi | November 22, 2025 09:14 PM IST 4 min readThe three-day event features performances and day-long workshops led by award-winning artisans from around 11 states, giving the audience an opportunity to experience India’s diverse artistic lineages. (Express Photo)The first edition of SPIC MACAY’s Folk and Tribal Arts and Crafts Festival, which was inaugurated on Friday, has brought Sunder Nursery in Delhi alive this weekend with sounds, rhythms and colours of India’s folk and tribal traditions. The three-day event features performances and day-long workshops led by award-winning artisans from around 11 states, giving the audience an opportunity to experience India’s diverse artistic lineages.Organised in collaboration with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and supported by the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, the Department of Art, Culture and Language, Sudha Sangini and Doordarshan, the festival aims to engage young audience and the wider public with India’s traditional knowledge systems and artistic heritage.“Through this festival, we aim to inspire young minds, support the preservation of our cultural heritage, and foster the Guru-Shishya parampara,” says Suman Doonga, Convenor of the Folk and Tribal Arts and Crafts Festival.The choice of Sunder Nursery as the venue, Doonga explains, comes from an already thriving collaboration. Previously, SPIC MACAY, or The Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music And Culture Amongst Youth, a voluntary youth movement, and Aga Khan Trust for Culture organised Sangeet Sudha — a monthly Indian classical concert series — at Sunder Nursery’s amphiteatre. The success prompted both the organisations to level up the partnership. “Aga Khan Trust has been very kind. They’ve given us the amphitheatre, sound and light facilities complimentary. When hands join for a good cause, planning becomes easier,” Doonga underlines. The festival aims to engage young audience and the wider public with India’s traditional knowledge systems and artistic heritage. (Express Photo)This festival was curated with the explicit intention of showcasing artforms that the larger audience remains unfamiliar with. “Our founder, Dr Kiran Seth, always reminds us to bring artists and traditions that people have never seen. Dance forms like Ottanthullal from Kerala, Saraikela Chhau from Jharkhand, Hojagiri from Tripura or Wangala dance from Meghalaya — many of us are not even aware that they exist. Much of it remains unknown and unseen.”Meanwhile, the garden transforms into a vibrant craft village following the inauguration of the tribal festival.Starting 11.30 am, senior artisans are holding open workshops in Madhubani painting, Warli painting, Gond painting and Bhil painting, terracotta craft, bamboo craft, calligraphy, sikki grass weaving, calligraphy, wood carving and paper mache craft.Story continues below this ad Meanwhile, the garden transforms into a vibrant craft village following the inauguration of the tribal festival. (Express Photo)“Anyone who comes can participate – materials are provided by the artisans,” adds Doonga. Artworks will also be available for purchase, with the proceeds going directly to the artisans. “This is another way of supporting them. Many have travelled from very remote villages. Planning this has taken four months,” she adds.Doonga believes the interest among students for classical music and culture has grown through the workshops that they have conducted through the years, but exposure remains limited. “In three or five days, you cannot master a craft or a dance form, but you can experience it. Even one workshop stays with a child. These arts help you connect with yourself. They are a kind of meditation,” she says.Public outreach is equally important. “In schools we meet children, but through festivals like this, elders, retired people, homemakers – everyone gets access. It builds a larger circle of support for artists,” she adds.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd