Tribal art is an intrinsic part of Indian culture and holds its roots deep in the country’s history. It reflects the unique identity of the region it belongs to and narrates tales of the people living in it. Tribal art has been influencing art scenes in India and around the world alike, ever since.
Gond tribal art is particularly unique and highly soulful. Also known as Gondi, it’s a visual language of vibrant colours and bold lines that narrates ancient tales and myths. It has been at risk of vanishing due to modern developments and the lifestyles of many tribes.
Fortunately, dedicated Gond artists around the country have been doing their best to help preserve it and have even taken it to newer heights, with the help of today’s technology. Here are some of the important Gond artists who’re promoting this tribal art form.
Nikhil Pandurang Birhade
Nikhil Pandurang Birhade is a well-known Gond artist from Pandharkavda in Yavatmal district, Maharashtra. After receiving an award from Mumbai’s Sir J.J. School of Art in 1982, he served as a visiting lecturer in the tribal department of the Government Institute of Arts in Kangri.
He’s best known for his research and conservation work among the tribal people of Pandharkavda. His legendary paintings and murals have received monetary aid from the Indian government, and he even has had works showcased all over the world.
Birhade follows in the footsteps of the traditional Gond artists and prides them in maintaining the essence of the art form.
Shyam Vinayak Raut
Shyam Vinayak Raut, from Maharashtra, is one of India’s renowned Gond artists and is the very first to set up his ‘Gond Art House’ in Chandrapur, located at the heart of the historical Gondwana region.
His artworks are renowned for their traditional Gond painting style with modern reinterpretations. In 2015, he even launched his first-ever show of Gond artworks, titled as “The Earth and the Sky”.
In 2018, he was also a part of a landmark exhibition on Indian art, titled “Views of Nature,” organized jointly by the National Gallery of Modern Art (AAJA) and the Art Knowledge Library at Rajpath, New Delhi.
Raut believes in staying true to the original Gond technique, but is open to the idea of modernization so that the art form can receive more opportunities for growth and visibility.
Shadab Khan
Shadab Khan is a Gond artist from the small village of Mansoor in the district of Bhind, Madhya Pradesh. He’s the founder of ‘Saadhna Gond’, which works towards curating various art works and installations of Gond art.
Having been born and raised in a tribal family, Khan was raised in Gond culture and traditions, which gave him an in-depth understanding of the art form. His paintings are admired all around the world, some of his most notable works being “The Golden Age” and “Kalivida”.
Khan is also a passionate advoacte of Gond art and regularly promotes it on various platforms. He’s a staunch supporter of traditional techniques and uses them in his works, while offering a modern interpretation.
Sahmat Aske
Sahmat Aske from Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district is one of the leading faces of Gond art in the country. Aske’s artworks are inspired by his mother and grandmother, who were both renowned Gond artists.
He started his career with theatre painting and set-designing and has since then gone on to create interesting artworks. At present, he’s a well-known panelist for ‘Patang-The Wing’, an organisation that strives to protect traditional tribal artistry.
Aske believes in staying true to the traditional techniques and uses these as sparingly as possible in his works. He also wishes to take the art form to newer heights with his bold and unique illustrations.
Akalaqa Baiga
Akalaqa Baiga is a tribal artist from the Baiga tribe in Dulda district of Madhya Pradesh. He was an honoured recipient of The Sangam Sahitya Akademi Award in 2016, and the Gondwara Nirman Karamveer ‘Puraskar’ in 2008.
Through his artworks, Baiga has played his part in promoting the ancient customs and practices of his tribe as well as promoting Gond art as whole. His notable works include ‘Chhatra’, which is a set of seven pieces depicting tribal life, customs, and traditional way of living.
Baiga is a big believer in the traditional ways of Gond art and uses them to the best of his ability in his works. His mission is to create awareness and appreciation for the art form of Gond, by giving his paintings a grand platform.
Gond art today is slowly seeing a rise in recognition, mainly due to its amazing diversity and representation of cultural values and customs. The passionate dedication of these Gond artists has been doing its part to ignite the flame of appreciation for the art form.
In contemporary times, Gond artists are creating artworks with modern motifs and designs that appeal to a wider audience, while still being rooted in the traditional techniques of painting.
These artists are the ones who are helping keep the passion burning and sharing their knowledge of the art form, while simultaneously introducing it to newer global platforms.