The Pune Book Festival has created history by setting a Guinness World Record through a large-scale exhibition dedicated to tribal languages and indigenous culture, drawing national and international attention to India’s rich and diverse heritage. The record-breaking exhibition highlighted the linguistic, cultural, and artistic traditions of tribal communities from across the country under one unified platform.
The exhibition showcased dozens of tribal languages, traditional scripts, oral literature, folk stories, songs, and cultural expressions that are often underrepresented in mainstream narratives. Visitors were introduced to rare manuscripts, visual displays, interactive storytelling sessions, and live demonstrations that reflected the living traditions of indigenous communities.
According to the organizers, the Guinness World Record was awarded for creating one of the largest curated displays focused on tribal languages and cultural representation at a single literary event. The scale, diversity, and educational value of the exhibition played a key role in earning the global recognition.
Scholars, authors, linguists, and cultural activists praised the initiative, calling it a significant step toward preserving endangered languages and raising awareness about India’s tribal heritage. Experts noted that many indigenous languages are at risk of disappearing, and platforms like this help document, celebrate, and pass them on to future generations.
The exhibition attracted thousands of visitors, including students, researchers, and families, who engaged with immersive installations and learned about tribal communities from Maharashtra, central India, the Northeast, and other regions. Special sessions were also held to discuss language conservation, cultural identity, and the role of education in safeguarding indigenous knowledge systems.
Festival organizers stated that the achievement reflects Pune’s growing role as a cultural and intellectual hub, capable of hosting events that combine literature, education, and heritage on a global scale. They emphasized that the record is not just a numerical milestone but a symbolic recognition of voices that have long remained on the margins.
The Guinness World Record has further elevated the Pune Book Festival’s stature, positioning it as more than a literary gathering and transforming it into a platform for cultural preservation and social awareness.
