Skip to main content

MANOJ KUMAR TEKAM

Manoj Kumar Tekam trained under famed Gond artist Bhajju Shyam who himself apprenticed under his own uncle the illustrious Jangarh Singh Shyam. Bhajju Shyam passed on to Manoj a wealth of knowledge about the intricacies of Gond art. Rife with environmental themes as it draws on nature and its surroundings, Manoj’s art is textured with the life, experiences and minutiae of community life, which is characteristic of Gond art. For this reason Manoj chooses to stay and work in his village in the Gondwana region. This informs his work, infusing it with rustic authenticity.

All Artist's Product

Gond Art | Tiger in the Forest | Medium 16"x12" Acrylic Painting | Artist Manoj | MKT 114/19-20

Gond Art | Tiger in the Forest | Medium 16"x12" Acrylic Painting | Artist Manoj | MKT 114/19-20

The colours chosen were acrylic and the palette was extremely contemporary in flavour. The motifs were intentionally a mix of both modern and Gondi traditional folk shapes. It is true to the essence of present-day art. On one side, the composition depicts the relationship story between the guardian “Tiger” of the forest coexisting with the flora in harmony within the jungle. On the other side, it showcases the camouflaging of the royal animal. The whole body of the tiger is a reverential piece to the various forces of nature which are essential for the survival of this community. The story of harmony is beautifully encapsulated in the tiger, a motif often recurring in Gond paintings as it is also worshipped as their ancestor. The contemporary tones and modern patterns add a new perspective to these centuries-old folk tales.