Inspired by a visit to the Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh, India - this “Tree of life” is a depiction of a forest scene characteristic of the central Indian highlands. The choice of Gond art to bring this scene to life was only natural, as the art form is endemic to the same region.
The tigress, the presiding queen of the jungle, occupies the central focus with her ever observant and keen eyes surveying the scene at all times. Other fauna such as the swamp deer (barasingha), sambar, gaur(bison) and elephants go about their business in the background. Peacocks and other birds like the wild fowl, kingfishers, owls, eagles and pigeons abound the wooded area which is interspersed with meadow areas that are grazing ground for the herbivores while also becoming the hunting ground of predators. Everything is in perfect harmony, until the tigress decides it's time for her next meal! It's usually the monkeys (langur) at the top of trees who spot any movement in the forest and signal to the rest of the fauna that the tigress is on the move.
About the art form:
The Kanha national park is situated in the central Indian highlands, nestled by mountain ranges and serves as an excellent nurturing environment for the astonishing diversity of flora and fauna in that region. (“There are over 325 species of birds, 18 species of lesser mammals, 39 of reptiles, around 500 of insects, 114 of spiders and around 150 species of butterflies” ref. https://www.kanhatigerreserve.org/flora-and-fauna)
It's no wonder that its people were inspired by these sights and used to decorate their walls with the same figures and motifs. The respect for this biodiversity is the heart of every Gond artwork.
The Gonds are an indigenous tribe native to central India and the art form with the same name originated as wall decorations that usually depict nature scenes, mythology and their everyday life. The vibrant colors that were used in this wall art were from natural sources like plant sap, charcoal, cowdung, leaves etc. Bright earthy colors, simple geometric patterns, lines and dots that make up a bigger figure, are characteristic of this art form and naturally they were drawn without any specific measurements (free hand).
The recorded history of this tribe goes back almost 1400 years and for the Gonds , everything in their subsistence is intimately connected to nature which is reflected in their art also. The art is an expression of the harmony in the ecosystem and gratitude for the same. It is believed that adorning their walls with such images brought them good luck.

#GondArt #TribalArt #contemporaryart #kalaivannam
Copyright ©? KalaiVannamArtStudio