Gond & Tribal Art - Ganesha, Kunti Shyam, Acrylic on PaperGanesha is a beloved God in Hindu Mythology and religious folklore. Revered as the Elephant god and supremely liked by children, Ganesha is considered to be the symbol of auspiciousness. The most notable thing about this deity is his innocence and intelligence. In colloquial terms, Lord Ganesha is akin the sharp yet mischievous kid who always manages to charm his way out of trouble. The artist seems to have picked up on this note, and has given special attention to the deity’s eyes. The sharp, alert and receptive gaze has been executed flawlessly, while still retaining the lovely charm that He is adored for. The artist’s perspective of Ganesha is a vital ingredient in the liveliness of the artwork, which has taken shape in perfect harmony with the essence of the deity.ABOUT GOND ARTGond Art is a variation of tribal art, primarily made by the Gond tribes who inhabit the south-central parts of Madhya Pradesh. The central themes of this art form include natural phenomena such as trees, flowers, animals and the ecosystem at large. Gond art has revealed a novel kind of sensibility to the urban psyche. For the unaccustomed eye, Gond art seems very simplistic, or even linear at times. While seemingly simple, this form of art celebrates the harmony of life and nature, and reflects the simple, organic lifestyle of the tribe. Animals, birds, flowers, trees; they are depicted with rich inner lives, each with a distinct expression and quaint charm.The striking part about this art form is not merely the inclusivity it bestows on all its subjects, it’s rather the exclusivity. Each form of life encloses within it a unique, diverse and vibrant universe. No organism is like the other; they each have their own weltanschauung (worldview), their own imagination and perspective. This nuanced approach gives rise to strikingly different, yet vibrant, forms of life on paper. Colours are usually prepared from naturally occurring substances such as vegetables and natural dyes.The subtle, simple and wholesome portrayal of nature and different forms of life elevates Gond Art to the sublime.