Gond Art Painting | Tiger in the Forest | Manoj Kumar Tekam (MKT 114/19-20)

The colours chosen were acrylic and the palette that was picked was extremely contemporary in flavour. The motifs were intentionally a mix of both contemporary and Gondi traditional folk shapes, which is true to the essence of present day art. On one side, the composition depicts the story of the relationship between the guardians “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. This story of harmony is beautifully encapsulated onto the tiger, which is 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.