October 3, 2025

The Gond art is like a magical forest on canvas, created by the Pardhan Gond tribe from Madhya Pradesh. This special art form tells stories about how humans and nature live together in harmony. Imagine elephant trunks turning into tree trunks, and the Tree of Life holding forests, animals, and people together! Gond artists use lively lines and dots painted with natural colours to bring these stories alive. Among the dazzling artists of this tradition, Japani Shyam stands out. She is the daughter of the famous Jangarh Singh Shyam, who made Gond art famous in the contemporary art world with what is called the Jangarh Kalam style. But Japani is no copycat – she’s created her own unique style within this tribe of art. Her paintings feel like a living universe. Tigers, birds, trees—they all mix and flow through her lines. One striking painting shows a tiger resting peacefully under a big, colorful tree. Instead of bright, loud colours, she uses soft earthy greens and yellows. The tiger’s calm pose sends a strong message about how animals and humans should live together, enjoying the shade and life of the forest. Japani’s work is more minimal and modern compared to the busy, detailed traditional Gond art. She sometimes paints city scenes too! In her work ‘Shehari Jeevan’, a busy city buzzes with people, cars, and planes, yet cows, pigeons, and trees still find their space, mixing nature with city life. Virenpratap Singh Bhaika, a young artist from Chandigarh and a student in London, admires Japani’s reinvention of Gond art. “Usually, there is a lot going on in a single composition of Gond art. Japani’s work adopts a more minimalistic approach with clean backdrops, infusing the work with a modern sensibility,” he says. Virgenthrapat has been inspired by the timeless message of Gond art to balance tradition and modern life. Interestingly, Gond art shares some features with Australian Aboriginal art, like the use of dots and bright colours. This connection harks back to the ancient supercontinent Gondwana! It’s amazing how art travels through time and geography, connecting cultures that are far apart. Japani Shyam’s modern Gond art beautifully blends the old with the new, wildlife with city life, and tradition with innovation. Her art invites everyone to see how humans and nature can live side by side in a colorful harmony. Follow us on www.instagram.com/htbrunch for your daily dose of culture, art, lifestyle, and more!

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Tags: Gond art, Japani shyam, Jangarh kalam, Tribal art, Madhya pradesh, Nature and art,