Indian Tribal Art Takes Centre Stage at Singapore's Republic Day Celebrations

A vibrant exhibition highlighting India's tribal art and craft was a highlight of the Republic Day celebrations by the Indian High Commission in Singapore. Organised by the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (TRIFED), this event marked the debut of such products in Singapore, aiming to promote India's tribal heritage globally. The display included unique items for corporate gifting and individual purchases, alongside products from the "One District One Product" (ODOP) initiative.

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High Commissioner Dr. Shilpak Ambule addressed around 1,000 diplomats and dignitaries, stressing the importance of preserving and promoting India's traditional arts and crafts. "We are actively promoting all our traditional arts and crafts, be it in the form of One District One Product ODOP or be it from the tribal community which promotes tribal arts under Indian government initiatives," he said.

Promoting Tribal Heritage

TRIFED’s regional manager, Shantanu Saharan, highlighted that the cooperative manages over 100,000 tribal products. Their focus is on securing bulk orders for corporate gifting and online sales for individual buyers. These products, crafted by tribal artisans using natural resources, showcase India’s rich cultural heritage. TRIFED sees great potential in securing bulk procurement deals with Indian-origin corporations globally, he said.

The High Commission has been actively promoting ODOP and tribal arts as part of India’s cultural diplomacy, making them an integral aspect of its outreach efforts. Ambule added that the goal is to make tribal arts relevant in contemporary markets while empowering artisans with sustainable opportunities. "We have come up with products to display and try and get these products either through bulk procurement and distribution channels or try and find a market in Singapore for all these products," he said.

Strengthening Bilateral Ties

The Republic Day event also celebrated 60 years of diplomatic relations between India and Singapore, underscoring the deepening political and economic collaboration between the two nations. India and Singapore plan to continue political exchanges and promote more trade and investment flows this year, Ambule said.

He highlighted recent high-level engagements, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Singapore and Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s recent state visit to India. "Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will visit Singapore next month, and the Shipping and Ports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in March for the Maritime Week which Singapore is hosting," he told the gathering.

Singapore’s Transport Minister and Second Minister of Finance, Chee Hong Tat, who accompanied President Tharman on his recent state visit to India, represented Singapore at the event. This collaboration reflects a commitment to strengthening ties between both countries through cultural exchange and economic partnerships.