Gond art finding its way

The Gonds are one of the largest tribal communities in India and they mostly hail from Madhya Pradesh and its surrounding states. Gonds earlier used to paint on the mud walls and floors in order to decorate their homes. The paintings had traditional tattoos and motifs. However, Gond art has since transposed onto paper and canvas with talented artists showcasing their skills.

Hailing from Madhya Pradesh Venkat Shyam Singh is the poster boy of Gond art. Venkat Shyam has been sketching and painting since he was seven years old. “I completed my schooling in a small village named Sinjhona.

I started with charcoal drawings on scraps of paper, even the blank spaces on the walls of my home. When my uncle, Jangarh Singh Shyam, visited in 1983, he saw my work and asked me to come to Bhopal to paint,” says Venkat.

Speaking about the Gond art, Venkat shares, “This mystical art form is known for its style, which is created by putting together dots and lines. These imaginative uses of the lines impart a sense of movement to the still images. In the eyes of a Gond artist, everything is sacred and intimately connected to nature - flora and fauna, humans and Gods.”

“Originally these paintings were done on the walls, but we are rekindling the art forms with their contemporary understanding. We are experimenting with the new mediums with new thoughts while keeping the style intact,” the artist adds.

“I use black and white predominantly in my work because I started drawing with charcoal. I want to keep alive the magic of this art and keep painting to promote this art form.”

He started small, but today he is an artist of repute. He relates his journey. “My first painting was that of a Goddess. Uncle Jangarh saw the painting and was pleased with my work.

Later, I went to Delhi, where at various times I worked as a cook, a rickshaw puller, a mason, an electrician, putting most of my earnings into buying art materials. Here, I used to visit the well-known contemporary artist, J Swaminathan.

Swamiji’s support boosted my spirits. After Jangarh Shyam uncle’s death in 2001, I have decided that I will do painting full-time. Today I have my own studio.”

Venkat Shyam Singh's playful compositions have a certain sense of balance and symmetry; he has used some modern and natural metaphors in his works like the train, aeroplane along with trees, leaves, squirrel, animals and human figures. Venkat has travelled extensively in India and to many European countries, where his works have been exhibited.

Venkat Raman Singh Shyam also penned an autobiographical book titled ‘Finding My Way’ which was released this year. “The book is as much about the Pardhan Gonds as it is about my life. I want to show the world what is Gond art and its beauty.

Especially in India, many people don’t know what this art form is, whereas other country people are doing research and PhD on this subject.”