National Seminar
Bhagwan Shri Birsa Munda:
Cultural Renaissance in Tribal India,
Their Heritage and Representation in Museums
On 6th June, 2026, the Museums
Association of India, in collaboration with
Sagar NGO conducted a one-day National Seminar on
'Bhagwan Shri Birsa Munda: Cultural Renaissance
in Tribal India, their Heritage and Representation
in Museums' at the India International Centre,
New Delhi. The seminar was graced by the presence
of Hon. Speaker of Delhi Vidhan Sabha Shri
Vijendra Gupta ji and other dignitaries.
Eminent scholars, academicians, students,
researchers, archaeo-museology professionls and
heritage enthusiasts made the event a successful
one with their attendance.
Among the many tribal heroes who dedicated their
lives to justice, dignity, and freedom, Bhagwan
Birsa Munda occupies a place of exceptional
reverence. Affectionately remembered as
Dharti Aba—the Father of the Earth—his life,
struggle, sacrifice, and vision continue to
inspire generations across the nation.
This year holds special significance as India
commemorates the 150th Birth Anniversary
of Bhagwan Birsa Munda through the nationwide
observance of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh. These
celebrations honour the rich cultural heritage,
indigenous knowledge systems, traditions, and
contributions of India’s tribal communities,
while reaffirming their rightful place in the
nation’s historical and cultural narrative.
In this spirit of remembrance and recognition,
a National Seminar was organized on 6th
June by the MAI to commemorate the Mahaparinirvan
of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, who attained martyrdom on
9th June 1900. The seminar also
coincided with Janjatiya Garima Utsav 2026, a
nationwide observance being held from 10th
May to 9th June 2026 to celebrate the
legacy, cultural heritage, and enduring
contributions of India’s tribal communities.
This occasion provided an opportunity to reflect
upon Birsa Munda’s extraordinary life, his
struggle against colonial oppression, his vision
for social and cultural awakening, and his
enduring legacy as one of the foremost icons of
tribal resistance and empowerment.