“SONGS OF THE EARTH: A Celebration of Traditional Narratives Through Art”
The Art Route, in collaboration with The Gondwana Art Project, hosted a highly successful exhibition titled “Songs of the Earth – Rediscovering Traditional Narratives.” This captivating event aimed to showcase the incredible works of artisans from the Gond region, providing a visual feast for gallery guests and art enthusiasts.
The exhibition featured a delightful collection of paintings created by tribal artists, skillfully blending traditional themes with contemporary styles. The talented artists showcased in the exhibition included Anita Balu Mhase, Anita Shyam, Chandrakali Pusham, Geeta Bhariya, Jyoti Uikey, Rahul Singh Shyam, Rajesh Mor, Rambai Tekam, Ramesh Singh Vyam, Santoshi Shyam, Suresh Dhurve, and Sita Meda.
Sundeep Bhandari, the Founder of The Gondwana Art Project and Crafts & Community Development Foundation, and Lubna Sen, an art curator and director of The Art Route Gallery, curated the exhibition. The exhibition was inaugurated by Ina Puri, Art Critic and Curator, and Latika Nath, a renowned wildlife conservationist. The event also included an enlightening talk on “Rediscovering Traditional Narratives” featuring Ina Puri, Sundeep Bhandari, and Latika Nath.
The exhibition showcased paintings that depicted the unadorned essence of daily life among tribal artists and their profound connection to the natural world. The artworks reverberated with a deep sense of reverence and admiration for the sacred elements of nature. These artists skillfully blended their traditional techniques, contemporary colour palettes, and innovative design elements, making their works relevant and captivating for contemporary audiences.
Lubna Sen, the show’s Co-curator, expressed the curatorial vision of “Songs of the Earth – Rediscovering Traditional Narratives,” which aimed to promote underrepresented art forms and artists and ensure they receive the recognition they deserve. Songs of the Earth celebrated the timeless bond between humanity and nature while paying tribute to the resilience of traditional artists. The exhibition bridged the gap between the past and the present, offering a fresh perspective on traditional narratives through contemporary eyes.
The exhibition is in collaboration with The Gondwana Art Project. Sundeep Bhandari, co-curator, talks about the exhibition, “Songs of the Earth is a selection of Bhil, Gond and Warli paintings from the Gondwana Art Project, that provide a refreshing array of the modern and contemporary, yet based on traditions, folklore and customs of the tribal communities from central India. These tribal art practices have thrived through their expression of lifestyle, lore and culture over generations. The artists thread stories from their world into nuanced thoughts of modernity and progressiveness, keeping the authenticity of the art forms intact.”
While traditional Gond art was created on walls, floors, and other surfaces, contemporary Gond artists have adapted the style to various mediums, including paper, canvas, and even sculptures.
The Gondwana Art Project was conceived to experiment with the tribal art forms by skilling talented artists on new design concepts and colour palettes, introducing new methods and techniques and creating a platform for these tribal artists to present their work and their perspectives, demonstrating their creativity and craftsmanship, and showcase the artworks to a global audience, opening new markets for these traditional art forms.
Features of Gond paintings
Deciphering the art form further, Gopal Namjoshi the celebrated artist and renowned sculptor added, “Gond art is known for its intricate patterns and meticulous detailing. Artists use fine lines and dots to create complex and visually appealing compositions. The level of detail in Gond art is remarkable, considering the traditional tools and materials used.
Gond art often incorporates themes from Gondi mythology, folklore, and daily life. It is a storytelling art form, with each artwork conveying a narrative or symbolic meaning. Artists use these stories to pass down their cultural heritage. Artists typically use bright red, yellow, blue, green, and white to create intricate designs.
