Traditions of India (Gond and Pithoro Paintings)

India has always carried a rich indigenous knowledge that has been with us for ages. India is a place of colours where millions of artists are born and each of them has created the best pieces. These arts are named – utility art, minor art, tribal art, ritual art, people’s art, folk art, crafts, and so on.  

Indian painting is a prolonged tradition as it has been passed through multiple generations with considerable modifications. Out of many painting traditions, Madhubani painting of Bihar, Pithoro Painting of Gujarat, Warli painting of Maharashtra, Pabuji ki Phad from Rajasthan, Sawara and Gond Paintings of Madhya Pradesh, Pichhwai of Nathdwara in Rajasthan, Pata Chitra of Orissa and Bengal, etc are perfect examples of artistic expressions. 

Timeless Tradition of Art Forms:

• Over the years, the Tradition of Art Forms has continued in India. The artists’ communities have only grown stronger and their marks are even found during early history. From pots to dresses, jewellery, and sculptures, the artists left no blocks untouched
• There is symbolism, used for materials, motifs, colours, and methods of making

• There is a thin line that differentiates the art and craft of the people like both of these involve equal amounts of creativity, necessities, aesthetics, and instinct  
• After India got independence, the handicraft industry again started to boost at a rapid speed
• Today, the sector is more organised for massive commercial production as compared to before. Apart from continuous practice, it managed to build a unique identity 
• During the formation of states and the union territories, each of them displayed their unique art forms and art pieces which overshadow others
• There has been a religion with richer utilitarian, decorative aspects, and symbolism, associated with everyday practises at home to production on a large scale

Painting Tradition:

Indian painting has a prolonged tradition as it has been passed through multiple generations with considerable modifications. Out of many painting traditions, Madhubani painting of Bihar, Pithoro Painting of Gujarat, Warli painting of Maharashtra, Pabuji ki Phad from Rajasthan, Sawara and Gond Paintings of Madhya Pradesh, Pichhwai of Nathdwara in Rajasthan, Pata Chitra of Orissa and Bengal, etc., are perfect examples of artistic expressions. 

Gond Painting:

Gond painting is one of the most famous artworks of the Gond tribal community who have their natural habitat in central India. The Gond painting is mainly done to preserve, remember, and communicate the rich culture of the Gond tribal community of India. Their art includes folk songs, folk dances, and Gond paintings. Presently, the Gond painting has evolved drastically from Digna and Bhittichitra. 

• Gond painting is a traditional art of Madhya Pradesh that carries an old, rich tradition of paintings
• These Gond paintings of Mandla and the nearby regions have recently transformed into colourful art pieces which depict humans, animals, and flora 
• These paintings are geometrically drawn on the walls of the hut. These include portraits of Lord Krishna, crows with pots, young boys, and girls
• The Gonds paint Digna is a traditional geometric pattern formed on the floors and the walls of the houses
• Bhittichitra is painted on house walls that include paintings of plants, animals, and trees

Pithoro Painting:

The pithoro art comes from the rich history of India. Over the years, this art form has shown immense versatility. From depicting ‘langot’, ‘horses’, or ‘dhotis’, painters now form ‘trousers,’ ‘bike’ or ‘trucks.’ As a result, many schools and colleges depedits Pithoro painting on their walls. 

• Pithoro paintings are done by Rathva Bhils from Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh and a small part of Gujarat. These are hand-painted on walls of houses, especially on important occasions or festivals
• It is a tribal painting of India that primarily belongs to regions like Bhilals, Nayaks and Tadi tribes, Rathwas, residing in and around Kawat and Chhota Udaipur in the eastern part of Gujarat and other parts of the western Madhya Pradesh
• In the olden days, the Pithoro paintings were revered only by the Rathwa tribe
• These paintings are massive in size, representing numerous, colourful horse riders in a row. These rows represent the cosmography of Rathvas 
• The topmost section of houses depicts the heavenly bodies, world of gods, and mythical creatures 
• This section is separated by a wavy line where the wedding procession of Pithoro is depicted along with kings, minor deities, goddess of destiny, domestic animals, an archetypal farmer, and so on. These represent the Earth 
• To complete the pithora painting, the painter mainly uses the combination of colours like white, orange, green, blue, red and yellow
• These paintings are formed inside a rectangular-shaped space that depicts Rathwas’ mythological or revered events.
• The unique selling point of the Pithoro Paintings is that there is no painting that is similar to one another as all artists leave a distinct mark on all their paintings

Conclusion 

The Gond and Pithoro Paintings are the indigenous tribal art of India that are practised even now in parts of the country. Over the years, these paintings have shown immense versatility and have come a long way. As a result, the government also takes necessary initiatives to protect and preserve these paintings.