What is Gond Painting?

About Gond Painting

The aim of this course is to understand and learn the rich tradition of Gond painting, its cultural significance and the nuances of the art. Gond painting is a traditional art practiced by the Gond tribal group of Central India, which is particularly known for its colorful and cultural depictions. In this course, we will learn about the history, religious and spiritual elements of Gond painting, distinctive techniques, contemporary relevance and its prominent artists. Additionally, you will be given projects and assignments for Gond painting, through which you will be able to practice this art by understanding it personally.

History of Gond Painting, Religious and Spiritual Elements

The history of Gond painting is also linked to the cultural tradition of this tribal group. This tribal group mainly resides in Central India. Gods and Goddesses, folk tales and religious rituals are depicted in Gond painting. Religious beliefs, cultural beliefs and traditional stories are artistically depicted with dots and small and big lines as per imagination and colors of nature are filled in it. Colors and symbols play an important role in Gond painting.

Introduction to Gond Tribe and their Brief History

Gond is an important tribal community of the Indian subcontinent. This tribe mainly resides in the forest areas of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. The historical presence of Gond tribe on the earth is believed to be thousands of years old, because in the past a large part of the earth has been famous as 'Gondwana Land'.The history of Gond tribe is full of diversity and struggle. In the early period, the social and political organization of this tribe was based on the tribal system, but it was a strong social structure. In that system, every clan or group had a chief, who had the power to take decisions related to the group. Mention of the Gond tribe is also found in Indian archaeological texts and historical records.In medieval India, the Gond tribe had relations with various empires and rulers. This tribe, with its wisdom and capability, established the Gondwana Empire and also expanded its power and influence between the 14th and 17th centuries. Various Gond states also played an important role in regional politics. With the expansion of the British Empire, despite the struggle, the Gond states also came under its control, after which the Gond tribe also had to face colonial policies and administrative changes.

Habitats of the Gond Tribe

The Gond tribe is a major tribal group, which resides in various states of India. It is mainly inhabited in various forest and mountainous areas of states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Odisha etc. Let's discuss this topic a little more:

1. Madhya Pradesh: The Gond tribe lives in large numbers in Dindori, Mandla, Betul, Chhindwara, Balaghat, Seoni, Shahdol, Umaria, Pushparajgarh, Sidhi, Satna, Sagar, Raisen etc. districts of Madhya Pradesh. Here the forest and hilly areas are the traditional habitat of the Gonds, where they earn their livelihood through agriculture, hunting and collection of forest products.
2. Maharashtra The Gond tribe is populated in Gadchiroli, Chandrapur Nandurbar, Amravati etc. districts of Maharashtra. The Gonds here remain engaged in agriculture and forest based activities while maintaining their traditional lifestyle and cultural heritage.
3. Chhattisgarh: In Chhattisgarh, the Gond tribe resides mainly in almost all the districts of Bastar division including Surguja etc. The dense forests and mountainous areas of Bastar are an integral part of the traditional lifestyle of the Gonds, where they do traditional farming, forest produce collection and hunting.
4. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana: The people of the Gond tribe reside in Adilabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Kurnool, Visakhapatnam Vijayanagaram etc. districts of present-day Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Here, the main basis of their livelihood is agriculture and forest produce.
5. Odisha: The people of the Gond tribe reside in Kandhamal, Navarangpur, Koraput etc. districts of Odisha. Here too, their lifestyle and cultural practices are influenced by the geographical features of those areas.

Apart from these, the Gond tribe group is also present in some areas of states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal etc. The cultural identity, traditional customs and social structure of the Gond tribe are deeply linked to the geographical features of their habitat.

Origin and Cultural Significance of Gond Painting

Gond painting is the traditional art of the Gond tribe of Central India. The origin of this art is rooted in the historical and cultural context of the tribal communities. This art has been traditionally practiced mainly in the Gond community of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. Gond painting probably originated in an attempt to reflect the characteristics of the tribal lifestyle, struggles, beliefs and environment. From the very beginning, accessible means and natural elements have been used for the expression of this art.In terms of cultural significance, Gond painting reflects the religious beliefs, traditions, and social structure of the community. These paintings often contain pictures of nature, plants, animals, birds and mythology, which highlight the deep spiritual and cultural heritage of the Gond community.In recent years, Gond painting has received recognition at the national and international level. It is not only an important expression of tribal culture but has also become an important part of Indian culture and art.

Gods and Goddesses, Folk Tales and Religious Beliefs

The following points need to be considered to know about the gods and goddesses, oral tales and religious beliefs that are at the center of the imagination of Gond artists as the subject of Gond paintings:

Gods and Goddesses:

The images of gods and goddesses in Gond paintings often reflect folk beliefs and their religious faith. Some of the major gods and goddesses include:

• Padapen or Badadev: He is the main deity of the Gond community. He is worshipped as the deity by the Gond tribal group. He is considered equivalent to Mahadev.
• Lingopen: He is the god of arts and a form of Shiva. He is considered the father of all arts including dance and music.
• Thakurdev: He is considered the village protector.

Apart from these, gods like Hardulala (Patel Baba), Dulhadev, Bhainsasur, Khilamithua, Pathdev, Bhimulpen, Divagongo (Sooraj), Khanderai, Maradev etc. and goddesses like Kheromai, Gavradai, Chandi, Gangain Mai, Banjarin Mai, Budhi Bhavani, Panghat Dai, Khokhli Dai, Seven Sisters (Chilkan, Chaban, Kodhan, Phodan, Regan, Phoolan and Fulesh) etc. are worshipped, which are depicted in Gond paintings according to ritual themes.

Oral stories:

Traditional oral stories and myths are especially important in Gond paintings, as they are part of the memory of the Gond community as well as reflect its cultural identity, religious faith, and traditions. These paintings are a medium to artistically depict their history, beliefs, and vision of life. Let us understand some of the major folk tales and myths in detail:

1. Jal Katha: According to a traditional story, earlier there was water everywhere. Bhimuldev ploughed in that water, which led to the creation of the earth. According to another story, Mahadev thought of creating man. He asked the crow to bring soil! The crow went to search for soil in the water. He saw a crab. The crow said to the crab - Bring some soil from somewhere brother, Mahadev has to create a human! The crab caught an earthworm and pressed its stomach. The crow took the soil that came out of it and gave it to Mahadev. Mahadev made a man's effigy from it, breathed life into it and gave an axe in its hand. He was called Baiga. He went to the forest and did not return. Mahadev made another effigy from the remaining soil and breathed life into it and gave a plough in its hand. Using the plough, he started farming. He was called Gond. This story is a major traditional story of the Gond community, which tells about the origin of earth and creatures from water and their prosperity.
2. Dhanushkatha: Dhanushkatha is a mythological or historical story, which symbolizes power, bravery and struggle. In this story, there is a main hero or warrior, who displays unique bravery through his arrow-bow. This story represents the stories of those heroes, who fought with their courage and patience and protected the society. In Gond paintings, along with this story, images of arrow-bow and those warriors are marked, which represent the culture and social structure of that time. This story reflects the power and struggle spirit of Gond society.
3. Vrikshakatha: Vrikshakatha holds an important place in Gond paintings, because this story shows the deep connection of the Gond community with vegetation. The people of the Gond tribe worship nature. Trees play an important role in their religious and cultural life. In this story, trees are shown as a symbol of life, which not only give oxygen, but also symbolize the spiritual and material prosperity of the society. Various parts of trees, such as leaves, flowers, fruits and roots are depicted in Gond paintings through different colours and shapes. These paintings convey the importance of trees and spread the message of worshipping and preserving them.

Religious beliefs:

Gond paintings are deeply rooted in religious beliefs and traditions. These beliefs generally focus on the worship of nature, ancestors and divine power:

1. Worship of Nature: Gond paintings depict the worship and rituals of natural elements such as trees, animals, birds, mountains etc., which are considered an integral part of life.
2. Ancestor worship: Gond society worships its ancestors and depicts them in their paintings as a tribute.
3. Spirituality: Gond paintings depict spiritual themes, which depict various gods and goddesses and their stories.

Characteristics and Techniques of Gond Painting

The characteristics of Gond paintings are vibrant colours, poetic designs, and natural elements. The technique involves painting using natural colours and leaf extracts. It also uses descriptive depictions and traditional symbols. These paintings depict tribal life and religious rituals.

Style and Design

The distinctive style and design of Gond paintings distinguish it from other art forms. Gond painting, done by the Gond tribe of Madhya Pradesh, is famous for its unique imagination, unique philosophy of life and vibrant colours.

Style:

The style of Gond painting is mainly abstract and poetic. In this, objects and figures are presented not in a realistic manner, but with imaginative abstraction and colourful perspective. In the painting, natural elements, such as trees, plants, animals, birds and human forms, etc. are often depicted in amazing forms and patterns.

Elements of Design:

The elements of design in Gond paintings are very distinctive. Some of the major elements are:

1. Organic outline: Fine details and intricate patterns are used in the painting. Animals, human figures and plants are designed through lines and dots, which create complex, attractive and colourful fabric.
2. Use of colours: Colours are of great importance in Gond paintings. Traditional colours for painting are made from natural sources, such as leaves, flowers and minerals. The brightness and depth of the colours enhance the liveliness and emotional impact of the painting.
3. Symbols and Symbolism: The paintings include religious and cultural symbols, such as images of deities, myths, and scenes from traditional rituals. These symbols reflect the beliefs and traditions of Gond society.
4. Carving: The paintings are often covered with carvings in white and black, giving the design an added depth and breathtaking visual imagery.

Thus, the style and design elements of Gond painting express its cultural identity and distinctiveness, giving it a unique place in the world art scene.

Colour and Material

Gond painting is done by the Pardhan community of the Gond tribal group of Madhya Pradesh. This painting is famous for its colourfulness and uniqueness. The choice of colour and material is very important in this art form, as they reflect the liveliness and cultural tradition of the paintings.

Colours:

The use of colours in Gond paintings is thoughtful. The following colours are commonly used in traditional Gond paintings:

1. Red: This colour symbolises enthusiasm, energy and strength. Red is used in religious rituals, special ceremonies and in depictions of deities.
2. Blue: Blue symbolises peace, sky and water. This colour is often used in paintings to depict rivers, sky and other natural elements.
3. Green: Green represents nature, greenery and vitality. It is especially used in depictions of plants and wildlife.
4. Yellow: Yellow symbolises enthusiasm and wisdom. It is used to give brightness and light in deities and religious symbols.
5. White and Black: White represents purity and peace, while black represents depth and mystery. Black is especially used to define the boundaries and designs of the painting.

Materials:

The materials used in Gond paintings are traditional and natural. The main materials include:

1. Natural colours: Gond paintings use natural materials such as plants, soil, stones, and minerals to make colours. For example, charcoal is used for black colour, hematite (a type of red clay) for red colour, and turmeric for yellow colour.
2. Painting surface: Traditional Gond paintings are done on paper, cloth, and walls. Paintings painted on walls are often used as interior decoration of the house, especially in rural areas.
3. Brushes and tools: Fingers and natural brush strokes are used instead of brushes in Gond paintings. Some artists also paint with the help of stones.
4. Natural gums: Natural gums or resins are used to stabilize the colours in the painting, which helps the colours to stick firmly to the surface.
5. Canvas: Though traditionally the paintings were done on walls or clay, modern Gond artists have started using canvas as well, which helps in preserving and displaying the paintings.

Basic Techniques

The basic techniques and pattern making methods of Gond painting are a major part of the uniqueness and beauty of this art. These techniques are simple but effective and have been developed with traditional knowledge and experience. Here is a detailed description of the basic techniques of Gond painting and how to make patterns:

Basic Techniques:

1. Background Preparation: At the beginning of the painting, the artists prepare the background. Traditional Gond painting is usually done on walls, cloth or paper. The background is cleaned to make it flat and smooth and sometimes painted with natural colours.
2. Line drawing: The first step of painting is line drawing. For this, artists usually use light colours or natural colours. Line drawing includes various shapes, forms and designs. These lines establish the basic structure of the pattern.
3. Coloring: After drawing, the process of coloring begins. Gond paintings use natural colors, such as red, blue, green, yellow, and black. When painting, artists carefully apply colors so that no area is left without color.
4. Patterns and designs: After coloring, artists add patterns and designs. These patterns can be simple or complex, and often use geometric shapes, dots, and wavy lines. The complexity of the design depends on the story and cultural context of the painting.
5. Finishing touches: In the final stage of painting, artists add final touches. This includes adjusting colors, clarifying the design, and sometimes adding additional details. Finishing touches enhance the completeness and clarity of the painting.

Ways to Create Patterns

1. Geometric Shapes: Geometric shapes such as triangles, circles, and squares are very common in Gond paintings. These shapes are often used in depictions of natural forms and deities. These patterns give a sense of balance and beauty to the art.
2. Dots and Lines: Dots and lines are used to create patterns. Dots are used especially in colourful designs, while lines provide structure and direction to the painting.
3. Traditional Designs: Traditional designs depict deities, animals, flora, and religious symbols. These designs reflect the cultural and religious beliefs of the Gond tribe.
4. Natural Elements: Natural elements such as trees, animals, and water patterns are incorporated in the paintings. These elements are characteristic of Gond paintings and express the relationship between life and nature.
5. Repetition of Forms and Lines: Forms and lines are often repeated in Gond paintings. This creates a kind of harmony and rhythm in the design, which makes the painting rich and attractive.

Contemporary Relevance of Gond Painting

The contemporary relevance of Gond Painting is increasing as it presents tribal culture and traditional beliefs on the platform of modern art. Its unique style and colours have given it recognition on the global art platform, giving new life to cultural heritage and folk art.

Importance of Gond Painting in Modern Society

Gond Painting is the traditional art of the Gond tribal group of Madhya Pradesh, which holds special importance in today's modern society. Its importance is not only limited to its historical and cultural heritage, but this art form is also playing an important role in contemporary art, social consciousness and economic development.

Cultural Identity and Heritage

Gond Painting is an integral part of the cultural identity of the Gond tribe. This art form depicts tribal life, religious beliefs, and traditions. Gond Painting has served to preserve and propagate this cultural heritage in modern society. Many art museums and cultural institutions are exhibiting this art form, thereby increasing the recognition of tribal art at the global level. It not only preserves the cultural identity of the Gond community but also introduces others to their heritage.

Contribution to Art and Design:

The unique style and technique of Gond Painting has become a source of inspiration in modern art and design. Its vibrant colors, traditional patterns, and poetic designs have inspired many contemporary artists and designers. Elements of Gond Painting are being incorporated in various art projects, fashion design, and interiors. This art form not only presents traditional design in a modern context but is also being used in new areas of art and design.

Social and Economic Impact

Gond painting has also contributed significantly to the economic development of the Gond community. Artists are getting fair price and recognition for their work, which is improving their economic condition. The growing popularity of Gond painting has strengthened the local art market and also encouraged various related businesses. Promoting this art form has generated employment opportunities in rural areas, which has improved the economic condition of the community.

Ways to Promote Gond Art

Gond art is an important part of Indian tribal art. There are many effective ways to promote it. These ways help in preserving, promoting and getting recognition for Gond painting at the global level. Here are some of the major ways:

1. Social and Cultural Events:

• Art Festivals and Exhibitions: Art festivals and exhibitions should be organized to showcase Gond art, where Gond paintings and other art works can be showcased. Such events introduce this art form to local and international audiences.
• Cultural Workshops: Organize workshops to teach the techniques and styles of Gond painting. This will not only increase the understanding of the art but also train the new generation in this art.

2. Education and Awareness:

• Educational programs: Gond art should be taught in schools and colleges. Gond painting can be included in the curriculum of art history and cultural studies.
• Public Awareness Campaign: Media, social media, and other promotional mediums can be used to increase public awareness about the importance and cultural value of Gond art.

3. Commercial Initiatives:

• Art Market: Special art markets or boutiques should be set up for Gond paintings, where art lovers and collectors can buy Gond artefacts. This will help in making the art economically stable.
• Commercial Partnerships: Incorporating Gond painting designs in various commercial products, such as fashion, home decor, and stationery, will increase the popularity of Gond art and make it accessible to different audiences.

Prominent Gond Artists and Conclusion

Among the prominent Gond artists, Late Jangarh Singh Shyam has been very famous. He is remembered as the renaissance of Gond painting. Jangarh ji's distinctive point and line style is famous. Ms. Durga Bai Vyam and Mrs. Nankushia Bord Shyam, wife of Late Jangarh Singh Shyam, are other famous names. These Gadis bring myths and folk tales to life. Shri Bhajju Singh Shyam is one of the young artists who has earned international fame through Gond painting. For his outstanding achievements in this art, he has been honoured with the Padma Shri award by the Government of India. Apart from him, Shri Anand Singh Shyam, Shri Gariba Singh Tekam and Venkat Singh Shyam are also known for their vibrant and unique style. Let us know about them in detail:

Contribution and Style

Late Jangarh Singh Shyam:

• Contribution: Late Jangarh Singh Shyam is considered the renaissance of Gond painting. He has given recognition to Gond painting not only in India but also internationally. Renowned painter J. Swaminathan brought him from village Patan in tribal dominated district Dindori to Bharat Bhavan in Bhopal. He then gave a new perspective to his traditional art and started painting it on canvas. His efforts brought Gond painting into the mainstream art.
• Style: Jangarh's style has a distinctive use of dots and lines. His paintings have particularly intricate and detailed patterns, depicting stories of nature and tribal life. His work prominently depicts animals, trees and tribal myths, which are important elements of Gond culture.

Shri Bhajju Singh Shyam

• Contribution: Shri Bhajju Singh Shyam is a disciple of Late Jangarh Singh Shyam. He has followed in the footsteps of his Guru and has given Gond Painting a global recognition. His art has won him many international awards and honours. His book "The London Jungle Book" has particularly attracted the attention of the international community. He has been awarded the Padma Shri for his outstanding achievements in establishing Gond traditional painting on the world stage with his extraordinary talent.
• Style: Shri Bhajju Singh's style includes deep impressions of details and intricacies. He presents modern themes using traditional Gond patterns. His paintings use unique colour combinations and quirky symbols, which are a symbol of his creativity and cultural heritage.

Conclusion

Gond painting is a distinct and rich style of traditional Indian tribal art, developed by the Gond tribe living in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Odisha. The main attraction of this art is its vibrancy and skill expressed through traditional symbols. It is the cultural identity of the Gond community. The most prominent feature of Gond painting is its style, which uses dots, lines, and geometric shapes. This art uses natural colours, such as those made from flowers, leaves, and soil, which give the paintings a special kind of natural glow and beauty.God paintings depict natural elements, such as animals, trees, and landscapes, as well as cultural and religious symbols. These paintings often include traditional oral stories and myths of the Gond tribe, which depict diverse aspects of the community's life. Through these symbols of art, the Gond people keep alive their traditions, religious beliefs, and social structure.Thus, Gond painting is not only an art form but also an integral part of the cultural identity and historical heritage of the Gond tribe, which we need to preserve and promote.