#gondartwork

Gond art is a traditional form of painting that originated in Madhya Pradesh, India. It is mainly practiced by the Gond tribe living in that state. However, it can also be found in other states like Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh.

The Gonds are the largest tribal community in India, and their art is highly valued for its cultural heritage. Gond paintings showcase the tribe's lifestyle, their surroundings, and the wildlife in their area. These paintings also depict their beliefs, mythical creatures, and characters from their folklore, all of which are an essential part of their artwork. The Gond tribe believes that having good pictures around them brings good luck and positive energy. Animals play a significant role in their art, as the tribe believes that all beings are spiritual and sacred.

Gond paintings are filled with bright and lively colors like orange, yellow, blue, and red. They are created using carefully drawn lines and dots that bring the paintings to life. The artists use natural colors derived from sources like flowers, stones, and other materials to create these beautiful artworks.

The word “Gond” comes from the Dravidian expression kond, meaning “the green mountain.” The work of Gond artists is rooted in their folk tales and culture, and thus story-telling is a strong element of every painting.

Gond art stems from the belief that a good image brings good fortune. This underlying belief has inspired the Gonds to decorate their homes and floors with traditional tattoos and motifs. Today, Gond art products such as Gond paintings on wood, painted wooden trays, and boxes have become extremely popular globally.

It is a matter of pleasure that Gond art has not escaped the eyes of art connoisseurs of the country. The Government of India is making efforts for the preservation of Gond painting. Other well-wishers went further and created Must Art Gallery – the world's first art gallery dedicated to Gond art. Unlike so many other treasures of Indian culture that have slipped through the cracks of time and are lost forever, the future of Gond art looks as vibrant and colourful as the paintings

The Gond tribe originated in Madhya Pradesh, and their name comes from the word 'Kond,' which means "green mountain." While Gond art is mainly associated with Madhya Pradesh, it is also popular in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha. The Government of India has taken steps to preserve the Gond art, aiming to support the artisans financially and inspire future generations. As a result, Gond art has gained popularity and is now showcased in international exhibitions, fetching high prices.

The Rich History of Gond Art

Gond people have been practicing painting and other art forms for more than 1400 years. They have a long tradition of making art on cave walls, dating back to the Mesolithic period. The Gonds believe that seeing beautiful images brings good luck, so they traditionally paint motifs, tattoos and images on the floors and walls of their homes. These images also serve to preserve and share historical knowledge and teachings.

Pradhan Gonds are known for their impressive skills in both art and music. In the 1980s, the director of the Bharat Bhavan Museum in Bhopal, J. Swaminathan, wanted to showcase urban and tribal art together. He sent his students to various villages in the Dindori district to find artists, and one of them was a notable painter named Jangarh Singh Shyam, who belonged to the dominant Gond community. Jangarh Singh Shyam was the first tribal artist to use canvas and paper for his artwork.

The Natural Themes of Gond Art

The Gond people believe that every element of nature, be it mountains, sky or trees, is the abode of a spirit. Hence recreating the forms of nature is done with reverence and worship of their sacred essence. These paintings serve as an example of the close connection of the Gond tribe with the spirit of nature. Gond paintings draw inspiration from the myths and legends of India. They also depict scenes from the contemporary life of the people. An elaborate narrative portrays abstract concepts involving feelings, dreams, and imaginative constructs. Since many Pradhan Gonds are accomplished musicians, their paintings often depict stories from their songs.

The most important subjects explored and depicted in Gond's paintings include birds, animals and mythological animals. Since the paintings also derive themes from the people's daily lives, the Mahua tree is an important subject. Considered the tree of life, the flowers, fruits, seeds and leaves of the Mahua tree serve many purposes for the tribe. Urban themes depict modern themes such as technology and automobiles. Folktales and local deities like Phulwari Devi, Jalharin Devi and Marahi Devi are culturally important.

The Exquisite Shapes of Gond Art