Good Go(n)d: Paintings that resonate a musical rhythm

By Staff
|
Google Oneindia News

New Delhi, Sep 17 (UNI) An exhibition of Gond paintings has opened here in which the pictures are corrugated in semi-circles like scales on fish that resonate a musical rhythm.

The factor that distinguishes them from other paintings is their ability to produce sound effects.

The bright colours of acrylic used in their pictures leaves one euphoric. The pictures consist of portrayals of reptiles, goddesses, children, and regular activities of their lives, where each of the pictures narate a different story.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Tribal Welfare Minister, Kunwar Vijay Shah were present at the opening where a book release on Tribal Paintings called 'Jangadh Kalam' also took place yesterday.

Like other forms of Art, Gond Paintings too have a history.

Jagdish Swaminathan, a famous painter and philosopher, is the Godfather of the paintings. In a small district in Madhya Pradesh called Mandla, one Jangadh Singh Shyam produced a picture of a monkey. In the later years, he was encouraged by Mr Swaminathan to develop this Art. The Paintings came to be known as 'Jangadh Kalam'. These paintings are about 20-30 years old and about 40-50 artistes produce 'Jangadh Kalam'.

The exhibition demonstrates 200 pictures produced by 38 artistes.

A synergy of thoughts, beliefs, culture and life style is evident in the beautiful paintings. The paintings have made possible the clear merging of nature with mankind.

The artistes and their paintings were honoured by an art-loving and intellectual crowd who were also eager to comprehend their culture. A discussion on an incessant issue on tribal growth and development was raised at the release of the book.

Taking privilege of being a host, rather than a guest, Mr Shivraj Singh Chouhan recalled his affinity with tribals, appreciating their complacence in their lives spent in simplicity without being affected by the hi-tech world outside their domain. He says "People residing in the hi-tech world are more complex than the people who are yet not out of the primitive life style." Tribal Welfare Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah, while endorsing the Chief Minister's views, stated "We should not only help spread their art and culture in all parts of India but also in the foreign lands." He talked about the promotion of tribal culture through televison channels, Aakashvani (Badhte Kadam) and chapters on the history of tribals and their contribution in our heritage is introduced in text books and also in magazines.

Mr Shivraj Singh Chouhan when asked about tribal welfare and their upliftment said, "Progress towards their upliftment is under consideration. our government is providing them with education, economic and other sorts of aids. All their problems and issues would be addressed gradually." He complimented the works of the artistes saying, "Adbhuth Kala" which means amazing or breathtaking skill which was an encouragement that would allow them to thrive globally.

UNI BDP RP KN1547

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