Introduce kids to the intricacies of the tribal art form in an interactive session with artist Japani Shyam
Hathi Sund Kekde Ke Sharir Me (an elephant headed crab), 1992, by Jangarh Singh Shyam. Pic Courtesy/Map
An art form native to the Pardhans, one of India’s largest adivasi groups, hailing from Madhya Pradesh, Gond-Pardhan paintings stand out for their vibrant colours and minute detailing. Organised by the Museum of Art & Photography (MAP), Bengaluru, an online session led by Gond-Pardhan artist Japani Shyam will take seven-to-10-year-old kids on a learning journey to unravel the secrets behind this art form.
ADVERTISEMENT
Education officer Shubhasree Purkayastha shares that Shyam is the daughter of Jangarh Singh Shyam, who pioneered the style. “The group didn’t have any artistic traditions, historically. They were musicians and storytellers. But Jangarh Singh was interested in painting. In the 1970s, when the government was in search of vernacular artists to work on a museum in Bhopal, his style of painting came to the fore,” she explains. The current style, marked by the use of dashes and dots, is his invention.
The workshop is part of MAP’s summer camp themed on folk traditions. “It’ll start with me facilitating the discussion on the art form vis-à-vis MAP’s collection. We also have a Discover MAP resource pack for kids on Gond-Pardhan art and Jangarh Singh. Participants will also get to create their own mythical creatures as Gond-Pardhan paintings have a big focus on nature,” she says.
On: May 23, 11 am
Log on to: map-india.org
Cost: Rs 200