The Gonds are among the largest tribes in Central India, numbering about 4 million. Though predominantly centered in Madhya Pradesh, they are present in significant numbers in the states of andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha. The word ‘Gond’ comes from the Dravidian expression Kond, meaning ‘the green mountain’, which is, again, indicative of the geographical context of the tribal settlement amidst the lush terrain of Madhya Pradesh. The recorded history of the Gonds go back some 1400 years but considering that they inhabit areas where rock paintings dating to the Mesolithic have been found, their antecedents probably date back even further.
Do you wonder why most of the Gond Art revolves around nature-based themes? It is because the Gonds believe that spirits reside in every element of nature. Illustrating these sentient beings is a form of worship true to their sacred value. These paintings depict the deep connection between the tribe and the spirits of nature. A prominent motif in Gond Art is the Mahua Tree, symbolizing life and sustenance for the community. Depictions of local deities such as Phulvari Devi, Jalharin Devi, and Marathi Devi are also prominently featured.
Gond paintings can best be described as ‘on line work’. The artist makes sure to draw the inner as well as outer lines with as much care as possible so that the perfection of the lines has an immediate effect on the viewer. Lines are used in such a way that it conveys a sense of movement to the still images. Dots and dashes are added to impart a greater sense of movement and increase the amount of detail.
Gond artists employ a vibrant palette sourced primarily from natural materials, including charcoal, colored soils, plant extracts, leaves, and cow dung. Specific colorants, such as black from charcoal and yellow from ramraj soil, contribute to the rich visual tapestry of Gond art. Through the judicious utilization of locally available raw materials and indigenous artistic techniques, Gond artists imbue their paintings with a profound sense of cultural identity and ecological consciousness.
The Symbolism of Trees in Gond Art & Community:
Ganja Mahua Tree: It tells the story of a Brahman (upper caste) girl and Chamar (lower caste) boy - when they fell in love, society did not accept them. So they renounced everything and went into the forest and later were reborn as Ganja and Mahua trees. Hence, it is said that Ganja and Mahua should not be drunk together as they can never be together.
Saja Tree: The Saja Tree is worshiped by the Bada Dev (Big God) and by the Gond community.
Pakri Tree: When new leaves bloom from this tree, the Gond community eats a dish (saag) made out of these leaves and this protects them from many diseases and illnesses.
Peepal Tree: The Peepal tree is where the Gods (Devtas) reside and thus the Peepal tree is considered the most important.
Tamarind Tree: The Tamarind tree also plays an important role for tribal people because they use tamarind fruit for chutney and sell the fruit for their livelihoods. Many people in the Gond community place a platform for gods or goddesses under the trees.
In the past, Gond Artists were responsible for passing on the traditions of the Gond kings verbally through songs with a musical instrument called the ‘Bana’. They would invoke the god Bada Dev at the Saja tree by playing the Bana and record the Gond patrons’ genealogy in song. In return, they would be offered gifts of grain, clothes and maybe even cattle or gold.
Due to the scarcity of natural colors in the current age, Gond artists have started to use poster colors. This combined with the use of canvas has made modern Gond paintings much more vivid than its traditional counterparts.
