The Tribal Museum of Bhopal: A World Within
Photojournalist, writer, and architectural designer based in Delhi and Bhopal, Nipun Prabhakar takes us around The Tribal Museum in Bhopal, which according to Nipun is a living, breathing celebration of culture, imagination, and the enduring connection between people and the earth.
The Tribal Museum in Bhopal stands as a marvel, unlike any museum I have visited before. As someone with a passion for exploring such spaces, I can confidently say it ranks among the finest in the world. It does not merely exhibit tribal art but immerses you in a space where every corner whispers stories of its makers.
What sets the museum apart is its architecture, an integral storyteller in itself. Conceived by famous Indian architect, Late Revathi Kamath and later enriched under Harchandan Singh Bhatti’s guidance, the structure and its curation mirrors the spirit through the hands of the communities it celebrates.
The design is not just a backdrop for exhibits; it is an active participant so much in a way that sometimes it’s difficult to distinguish between the ‘structure’ of the building and the artworks of ingenious tribal communities. Built into the rocky terrain of Shyamla Hills in Bhopal, the Museum uses its seven acres to combine enclosed, semi-open, and open spaces, in a way, creating a dialogue between built form and the environment.
The very act of entering the Museum feels different. The two-vehicle parking is not a straight pavement, but an organic stone clad space. The curved driveway, shaded by bamboo leads to a reception area. One can see how Gond art, on the entrance wall, transforms from two to three dimensions. The reception space welcomes visitors with intricate woven tree made of Jute. It opens into verandahs, where sunlight is filtered through operable panels again made of woven jute and bamboo matt. This interplay of light, shadow, and breeze creates a sensory experience that feels both grounding and otherworldly.
The mud-plastered walls carry textures of the land, and the pitched roof, supported by steel trusses, speaks of both heritage and modernity. The trusses are also curtailed to save steel, but feels like they were intended to be tribal motifs.
The Galleries Within
Within these walls, the Museum unfolds its stories across six galleries, each a world unto itself. Jeevan Shaili, with its traditional mud-and-bamboo houses, feels like stepping into a living village. Sanskritik Vaividhya captures the vibrancy of festivals and weddings, while Kalabodh uses tribal art to express the deeper rhythms of life. Devlok delves into myths and beliefs, connecting the sacred to nature, while Chhattisgarh Dirgha and Rakku Dirgha celebrate regional art and childhood games, something that everyone can relate to.
The space is alive, constantly revealing its secrets. It took me months to notice the ceiling above the canteen, painted with the Navgraha (nine planets). This attention to detail is what makes the Museum both overwhelming and enchanting—every visit feels like discovering a new layer of its soul.
The Museum connects tribal life to our everyday life. The canteen, for instance, serves tribal food, offering experiences of contemporary dishes with a twist, like my favourite , tasting the mahua jalebi—a famous Indian sweet but with a twist where it’s made from the flowers of the mahua tree mixed with jalebi dough. Much like the Museum itself, the dish embodies the profound relationship between people, culture, past and present.
What makes the Tribal Museum truly extraordinary is the way it was brought to life. Tribal artisans, given the freedom to dream, have left their imprints on every corner. For example, the woven ‘tree like’ form at columns, crafted using the charpai weaving technique, transforms a utilitarian craft into a sculptural marvel. Similarly, Gond myths brighten the canteen walls and traditional Godna tattoo art embellishes office windows.
The museum is a product of collaboration—of visionaries like the Jan Jati Evam Boli Vikas Academy and the artists and communities who contributed their hearts and hands. It stands as a response to the pressures of modernisation, a celebration of traditions at risk of being forgotten.
Whenever someone visits me in Bhopal, this is the first place I take them. The Tribal Museum is more than just a collection of galleries. It’s a living, breathing celebration of culture, imagination, and the enduring connection between people and the earth. To step inside is to step into a story still being written, and it is one I never tire of revisiting.
