The Gonds and Bhils are two major tribal communities of Central India, The Bhil tribe is largely found in the western parts of state of Madhya Pradesh, and in Gujarat.The Gond tribe inhabits parts of Madhya Pradesh ,Chattisgarh ,Andra Pradesh and parts of Maharashtra. These regions are rich in cultural heritage and have distinct arts and crafts that need to be showcased...
I have been working with the various tribes from Madhya Pradesh to promote them nationally and internationally.
I facilitated and conducted a two day workshop for the boys at" The Doon School" Dehradun.The workshop was supervised by Rajendra Shyam. It was a wonderful experience working with the children.The boys were very excited to develop their own signature motifs .They experimented with sporty depictions, like footballs and hockey sticks.While some drew inspiration from natural phenomenons like thunder and rain.The result was fabulously rendered images.
To understand a painting or to get into the mind of an artist, one has to often understand his roots.The place where his or her heart belongs.
This was my first trip to Mandla district to Patangarh and Dindori, the motherland to the Pardhan Gond artists.In the past Pardhan Gonds were story tellers to Gond kings.They were responsible for passing on the traditions of the Gond kings verbally through songs with a musical instrument called the 'Bana' The kings in turn supported the Pardhans with cattle, grain, clothes etc.Their sustenance solely depended on the Kings.With the downfall of the kings due the advent of the British the Pardhans took to farming.But the music still remained in their mind and souls.
Bada Dev
The Gonds worship Bada Dev, he is their main deity.According to the Pardhan Gonds, Bada Dev resides in a Shaja Tree.There is a popular folklore about Bada Dev disappearing into the Shaja tree and how the musical instrument 'Bana" was used to appease him.
Story of Bana
One day the seven Gond brothers were tilling their
field.They saw a handsome man on a white horse galloping on his horse through
the filed and destroying it.They chased the rider but were futile as he
disappeared in the Shaja Tree.They realized that he was Bada Dev,, their
God.Thinking that he was angry with them, they tried to appease him with
offering of lentils, sacrifice of rooster and Mahua wine.
They pleaded him to come out and forgive them, but in vain.Finally, one of the brothers made a one stringed musical instrument with a branch of a Khirsani tree .He played the instrument and sang praises of glory of Bada Dev, on hearing this, Bada Dev made an appearance. He blessed the Gond who had made the instrument, and told him that whenever anyone sang his song accompanied by this musical instrument, he would make an appearance. He told them to call this instrument a “Bana"
Ritual of Bada dev under a Shaja Tree
Bana Singer
Typical mud houses of Patangarh
These comprise of a central courtyard and rooms neatly arranged around it.There is a room opening to the outside for cattle.
Traditional wall relief work called 'Bhittichitra"
Traditional wall paintings are called 'Digna'.These are painted during festivals and ceremonies.The usage of blue colour is a recent .Coloured clay was used traditionally, yellow (Ramraj Mitti, obtained from the Narmada River) ,White (Chuhi Mitti), Brick Red(Geroo), Black (charcoal).
The shrine of Bada Dev in Patangarh
The Holy Stone relics
Views from Patangarh, which is situated on a small hillock
A group show of five Gond artists was held at Gitanjali Art Gallery, Panjim , Goa.The artists that participated were Raju Shyam, Manoj Tekam, Hiraman Urveti, Ramesh Tekam and Rajendra Kumar Shyam.The painting of Peacock and its ugly feet by Raju was definitely the show stopper.
