Jangha Dev Ki! Jai!!
At the heart of Gond tribal spirituality in Odisha lies the revered deity, Jangha Dev, a manifestation of Lord Jagannath. Legend has it that during a mythical struggle for the divine form of Lord Jagannath, the upper portion was claimed by the Hindu pantheon, while the lower part, from the naval downward, was bestowed upon the Gond tribe. Thus, emerged Jangha Dev, the custodian of this sacred lower form, revered by the Gond community for generations. The Gond tribe preserves the essence of Jangha Dev, embodying a timeless bond with Sri Jagannath and weaving a rich tapestry of spirituality and tradition in the vibrant mosaic of Odisha's cultural landscape.
Introduction:
Dive into the vibrant tapestry of the Gond community, the largest Adivasi group in India, whose roots trace back to the Pre-Aryan epoch. With a history spanning more than 1000 years, the Gonds inhabit regions adorned with Mesolithic rock paintings, a testament to their ancient lineage.
Research Study: "Indigenous Peoples of India and Australia: A Comparative Analysis of Cave Paintings" by Dr. R. S. Bisht (2009), D.N. Pathy (1984) - "Tribal Paintings of Orissa", Ranjit Singh Pankaj (1988)- Tribal Paintings in Orissa and Australia: A Comparative Study", Shyam Sundar Mishra (1998)- Ethnographer- “Gond Paintings- Ethnographic Context and Changing Scenario” and Yashodhara Agarwal (2003)- “Similarities in the Tribal Arts of Orissa and Aboriginal Australia”. So based on iconographic analysis, ethnographic studies and stylistic comparisons by multiple researchers explore the similarities and differences between cave paintings in India, particularly those created by tribal communities like the Gonds, and those found in Australia, created by Aboriginal peoples. It highlights common motifs such as animals, human figures, and geometric patterns, as well as shared themes related to nature, spirituality, and cultural practices.
Through ancestral wall paintings in their homes, the Gonds maintain a living link to their Mesolithic heritage. These vivid murals spanning generations tell timeless human stories, connecting past and present. The Gonds of Odisha, known for warring with British colonizers, have blended their culture with neighboring groups, including adopting Odia into their Gondi language. Nestled in Odisha's serene landscapes, the Gonds preserve age-old traditions, narrating an epic journey through time in which India's steadfast tribal communities persist amidst the winds of change.
Origins and Distribution:
The Gond tribe has around 7.5 million population in India with 0.88 million in Odisha as of 2011. They settled in central India in the 9th century, and their territory became known as Gondwana. By the 14th century, the Gonds had become the dominant royal community in western Odisha and Chhattisgarh, exercising political power over 10 forts or "Garhs" in western Odisha. Nowrangapur and Nuapada districts have a significant Gond presence, 33.86% of the population. Historically, three Gond-dominated Garhs - Komnagarh, Gudagarh, and Kholagarh formed the Khariar state, now part of Nuapada district. There are 46 tribes under the Gond the major four Gond categories seen in Odisha are: Gondo, Rajgond, Drugond, and Muria/Maria Gond residing mainly in forest villages.
Majority spoken Language- Gondi and Odiya
Major festivals- Keslapur Jatra, Madai, Nagaba, Chaitra, Gusadi dance and Dussera
Musical Instruments- Double humdrum/drums, harmonium, wooden bells bitten by sticks
As per the Ministry of Tribal Affairs census 2011 demographic of Gond tribe of Odisha –
Population- 0.88 million or 8.8 lakh
Literacy rate- 59.65 %
Workers- 0.45 million or 4.5 lakh
A comparative analysis of the 2001 and 2011 census data revealed an increase of 12 % in average population growth over the decade.
Culture and traditions of Gond
Gond culture is deeply connected to nature, as reflected in their pantheon of folk deities, songs, dances, myths, legends, art, and rituals. Their wall paintings display this rich culture, depicting clan totems like tigers, Peacock, Tortoise, Eagle, snake and elephants or other using natural dyes. Gond homes come alive with colourful celebrations of heritage expressed through art. During weddings and festivals, the inner and outer walls are adorned with intricate digna patterns and vibrant bhittichitra paintings. The geometrical digna designs represent cultural continuity. Meanwhile, the bhittichitra art depicts nature's abundance - animals, leaves, flowers - symbolizing hope and joy. known as Bana paintings though originally ritualistic, Gond paintings have evolved into a vibrant folk art form that supports the community financially. While styles vary regionally, the works still draw heavily from tribal folklore. With commercialization, they now employ modern materials like canvas and acrylics. Yet at their core, these paintings continue ancient cultural traditions, representing the oneness of Gond life with the natural world that sustains them.
Feature and Techniques of Gond paintings:
Painting among the Gonds of Odisha is a cherished and historically significant art form, deeply embedded in their cultural heritage. Known as "Bana and Jhotichitra,"
Features of Bana Painting and Jhotichitra
The Gond community of Odisha has developed a distinctive style of painting, characterized by its abstract and symbolic representations. These paintings, found in every Gond household in Keonjhar/Kendujhar, Nuapada, and other district villages, typically adorn the front walls of their huts. Themes for these paintings are drawn from nature and the natural elements surrounding their villages. The main features are :
Geometric and non-geometric motifs
Depict trees, flowers, birds, human figures
Line and dot paintings create patterns and shapes representing a deity or living organism and also make creepers and flower design
Simple shapes like circles, triangles, squares, lines
Symmetrically balanced compositions
Bright colors
Free-hand drawings
These paintings reflect the ancestral traditions of the Gond tribe, with motifs and forms reminiscent of earlier rock art found in the region. Ancient symbols such as the circle in the cross, the tree of life, and concentric circles often appear in Bana paintings, showcasing the tribe's rich cultural heritage and artistic lineage.
Techniques and Raw Materials:
Before embarking on a Bana painting, Gond men and women prepare the wall surface of their huts by repairing and plastering them with mud. The walls are then coated with layers of cow dung, black earth (Kala Mati), and ochre/red-colored soil (Geru Mati), Chui soil or lime is used for white. creating a textured canvas for their artwork. Paintings are executed directly on the ochre-colored surface using fingers and twig brushes, allowing for intricate designs and patterns to be created.
The colors used in Bana paintings are derived from a variety of organic and inorganic materials, including charcoal, cow dung, leaves, colored soil, ochre, locally available flowers (ex-Hibiscus), clay, stones, rice, and turmeric. Red and yellow are considered auspicious colors and are commonly used in Gond paintings. Paints are prepared by grinding various colored rocks and mixing them with water or other substances like resin. Brushes for painting are crafted from natural materials such as thin sticks, bird feathers, and bamboo, with different shapes and sizes utilized based on the requirements of the artwork.
Jhoti Chitra- Elaborate floor paintings made by Gond women using rice paste/powder. Very colourful intricate geometric designs. Created for auspicious occasions.
Mahua tree Paintings - Done on Mahua tree (Madhuca longifolia) bark. Charcoal, soil, and plant sap are used to create intricate nature scenes, of nature, animals, birds, and deities.
To view our authentic collection of traditional Gond art paintings- Visit our Gallery
Conclusion:
These vibrant paintings constitute invaluable tribal patrimony - not just for India but globally. Numerous museums showcase Gond artifacts, including hunting tools and musical instruments, providing a window into their culture. Still, living heritage like the Bana art remains irreplaceable and requires urgent preservation attention. The passing down of their rich talents and tribal identity from generation to generation hangs in the balance. As the community transitions in lifestyle and building materials, their distinctive wall art risks decline. Supporting Gond artists to maintain ancestral creative traditions is imperative, so future epochs may delight in the heritage that breathed life into the mud walls of Gond villages since the days of their Mesolithic ancestors.
Gond tribe dance of Kendujhar a tribute to Jangha Dev//Baradeo/Lord Jagannath (Principal Deity of Gond)
Your post on the Gond tribe is simply great. I am a research scholar and I would be honored to learn more from you about the specific traditions and religious beliefs of the Gond tribe in Orissa. Each region has its unique variations and interpretations, and your expertise in this area would be invaluable in furthering my understanding. Thank you.