At a recent BRICS meeting, the Prime Minister of India gifted a Gond painting to Brazilian President Lula da Silva. Gond painting is a renowned folk art of the Gond tribal community from central India. This art form serves to preserve and convey the Gond culture, often depicting themes rooted in nature, animals, mythological stories, local deities, and more. Gond artists employ unique patterns like dots, lines, and fish scales, creating distinctive signatures within their works. The Gond tribe, India’s largest Adivasi community, has a historical presence tracing back to pre-Aryan times, with their habitat spanning several states.
Facts/Terms for UPSC Prelims
- Gond Painting: A celebrated folk art practiced by the Gond tribal community in central India. It showcases themes closely tied to nature, utilizing distinct patterns and styles to depict animals, trees, deities, and folk stories.
- Lula da Silva: Refers to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the former President of Brazil, who received the Gond painting as a gift from the Indian Prime Minister during the BRICS meeting.
- Adivasi Community: Indigenous tribal communities in India, often referred to as “Adivasis,” have distinct cultural identities and histories predating the arrival of Aryan influences.
- Gond Tribe: The largest Adivasi community in India, the Gonds are dispersed across various regions and states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha. Their art, language, and traditions reflect their rich cultural heritage.