U.P.’s Folk and Tribal Culture Institute Preserves the Melodies of Dying Musical Instruments

Lucknow, January 2026 : The rhythms of tribal musical instruments, once echoing through the forests, hills, and riverbanks of Uttar Pradesh, are slowly fading amidst the glitter of modern music. However, the Uttar Pradesh Folk and Tribal Culture Institute is actively working to revive and preserve these melodies. With a focus on safeguarding tribal cultural heritage, the institute is conserving over 200 endangered musical instruments from tribes across the state and the country. Under the guidance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the institute regularly organizes exhibitions of traditional instruments, providing both a platform for tribal artists and a means to protect these instruments.

The collection includes ancient dholak, nagada, daf, dhapli, damru, dhak, and thali, as well as melodic instruments like bansuri, been, and sarangi, and rhythm instruments such as manjira, chimta, ghungroo, and khadtal. Tribes like the Gond, Tharu, Buksa, Khariar, Saharia, Baiga, Agariya, Chero, and Mahigir have long embedded music into their daily lives, with the distinctive sounds of these instruments symbolizing their identity. In today’s digital era, as these traditional instruments gradually disappear, the institute’s conservation efforts serve as a vital example of cultural preservation.

The institute has also showcased these instruments through exhibitions at Kala Kumbh during the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, which were appreciated by art enthusiasts and tourists from across India and abroad. Similarly, during U.P. Day, exhibitions at Kala Gaon allowed the youth to reconnect with their cultural roots. During the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of tribal hero Birsa Munda, the resonance of traditional instruments at the Tribal Participation Festival reinforced that these initiatives go beyond mere preservation—they actively transmit a fading heritage to the next generation.

The institute’s efforts demonstrate that a balance between tradition and modernity is essential to sustaining cultural identity. By reviving and showcasing these endangered musical instruments, the Folk and Tribal Culture Institute ensures that the music, artistry, and cultural essence of Uttar Pradesh’s tribal communities continue to inspire and connect future generations.