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.

Manoj Kumar Tekam a Gond artist’s raw and rooted appeal is what attracts the viewers in this artwork. It is difficult to ignore the simplicity and vivid energy of his paintings. The art of Gond paintings is all about indigenous stories depicted with the finesse of fine strokes and rhyme. The stories representing everyday life in a village come alive in the paintings by the artist. The mother is accompanied by her chicks as she shows them how to navigate and at the same time protect them. The grey shadow of the roots shows the strength of the Gond community’s long history.

‘Tree Of Life’ with the four legged and a Gond village herder: Manoj Tekam’s painting depicts a recurring theme from the repertoire of Gond art. The tree seems to replicate the green and the grey as the day-night. The artist’s choice to make the deer, human and the tree are interesting.