Gond Art is a traditional art form predominantly found in Madhya Pradesh, central India. It can also be found in the surrounding states of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Odisha. The word “Gond” comes from the Dravidian expression “Kond” (green mountain). This painting style is characterized by intricate patterns, bright colors and nature-inspired themes. One might confuse Gond with Madhubani paintings (also known as Mithila art). However, Gond art has its own distinct characteristics. The images are tattoos or minimalist human and animal forms that include chameleons, butterflies, elephants, cows, lions, fish, peacocks and other birds. The paintings use vibrant colors like orange, yellow, blue and red brought to life with articulately drawn lines, dots and dashes.
Technique and Materials
Traditionally, natural pigments from soil, charcoal, cow dung and plant extracts were used with bright colors like red, yellow, green and blue obtained from natural sources like flowers and stones. Symmetry and repetition of patterns are common features. Artists first make dots to calculate the volume of the images. These dots would be connected to create an outer shape, that is then filled with colours.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.