Celebrating Indian tribal artists who are putting indigenous art on the cultural map

The non-profit Gondwana Art Project spotlights tribal artists who are preserving the cultural legacies of ancient India

Dancing elephants in blue and orange, a lion with its mane in the form of a tree with resting birds… these imageries may seem too fantastical to imagine, but a group of talented tribal artists from India have not only conjured them in their minds, but they have also brought them to life.

Tribal art has existed in India for millennia, but tribal artists don’t always get the spotlight they deserve as artist featured by commercial galleries do. Despite the challenges brought on by poverty—and in some cases: caste-based discrimination—these artists have continued to conquer all odds to create vibrant artwork depicting mythology, nature, abstract concepts as well as their daily lives.

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Above Jungle Tales III by Ramesh Vyam (Image: courtesy of CCDF and the artist)

In support, the Gondwana Art Project, with funding from the Craft and Community Development Foundation (CCDF), a not-for-profit social entity in India started by art enthusiast Sundeep Bhandari in 2008, has been able to empower more artists. The NGO upskills traditional artisans by introducing new concepts and techniques to their practice while retaining the authenticity and cultural ethos of their art.

This year, 15 such tribal artists are being featured at the Gondwana Art Project exhibition, which is taking place from February 7 to 9 at the Visual Arts Gallery of India Habitat Centre in New Delhi, India.

Above Jalpari by Santoshi Shyam (Image: courtesy of CCDF and the artist)

Gondwana refers to Madhya Pradesh—a state in central India whose 10th-century Hindu and Jain temples are known for its carvings of erotic scenes—and Maharashtra—a state in western India famous for its cave paintings. Today, there are still artists from the indigenous Gond, Bhil, Warli, Sohrai and Khovar tribes who practise traditional forms of paintings that portray the legends, myths, family tales and lifestyles of their cultures.

After screening hundreds of artists, 15 were selected for the Gondwana Art Project and were mentored by multidisciplinary designer Anmol Yadav. Here are five picks from Tatler that tell the tales of fascinating folklores and reveal their artists’ creative visions.

1. Belvat Kanya by Anita Balu

Above Belvat Kanya by Anita Balu (Image: courtesy of CCDF and the artist)

Anita Balu is a Warli artist from the village of Dahanu in Maharashtra, and Warli art is one of the oldest forms of Indian folk art that is traditionally painted on the red earthen walls of huts. The materials used in Warli painting are drawn from the environment and resources of village life. For example, white pigment made from rice flour and water and using natural gum from gum trees as a binder.

Balu created this piece with cow dung and acrylic on cloth, and it’s a depiction of the folktale of the princess Bael Kanya (“fruit girl”) who gets trapped inside a bael fruit while collecting water for her betrothed. A bird leads the prince to where she is where he then splits open the fruit to release her.

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2. Pola the Gond Cattle by Anita Shyam

Above Pola the Gond Cattle by Anita Shyam (Image: courtesy of CCDF and the artist)

Anita Shyam from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, showcases her tribe’s reverence for animals through her acrylic-on-canvas painting. At the Pola festival, a ceremony that celebrates bulls and oxen for their contribution to agriculture by decorating them with ornaments and jewellery. In this vibrant piece, Shyam imagines how she would adorn her bull for the festival.

3. Core by Geeta Bhariya

Above Core by Geeta Bhariya (Image: courtesy of CCDF and the artist)

Hailing from the conservative Bhil tribe in Madhya Pradesh, Geeta Bhariya uses her paintings as a creative outlet for her progressive worldview, which sits in contrast with her pride in her community and their traditions. Taking a modern approach to traditional Bhil art, she has created an abstract acrylic-on-canvas painting with dots in a muted colour palette that pays homage to the agricultural activities of the Bhil tribe.

4. Turtles by Jyoti Uikey

Above Turtles by Jyoti Uikey (Image: courtesy of CCDF and the artist)

Turtles are considered a symbol of longevity because of their long lifespan. Jyoti Uikey’s painting shows an adult turtle experiencing the fullness of life, complete with struggles, adventures and joy. Uikey is a self-taught artist from Patangarh in Madhya Pradesh, and her work reflects the customs, traditions and ancient stories of the Gond tribe.

5. Saptbahini, or Congregation of Snakes, by Rahul Shyam

Also from Patangarh is Rahul Shyam, who draws inspiration from the rich flora and fauna around him. In this somewhat menacing picture, he portrays snakes as —an auspicious symbol in the Gond community. It is believed that if one snake is hurt, the rest of its group will go after the abuser to take revenge.

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Topics

Art Tribal art Culture Preservation Heritage Ancient India Gond art Power and purpose Gondwana Art Project Craft and Community Development Foundation