Gond

The Gond art originating in Madhya Pradesh derives its name from the Dravidian word kond which means ‘green mountain’. Over the years the Gond artists have developed a bold visual vocabulary that uses naturally occurring pigment colors such as black, deep red, white, and ochre. The geometric patterns involving dots are used to create an intricate image of animals and the natural environment with an infusion of a distinct style of each practicing Gond artist. The history of the Gond tribe goes back 1400 years, with it comes a heritage of Gond Pradhans, who were musicians and storytellers within the tribe, and the primarily practiced Gond art which has transcended from being painted on mud walls to canvas and papers. It is also popular in regions like Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.