Jangarh Singh Shyam birth anniversary: Explore his unique artistic legacy at this exhibition in Mumbai

A photograph of the village from the book

We take much for granted," shares Padmaja Srivastava, as she pauses during the conversation. The pause arrives during the author's description of a Gond Pardhan tradition. "They sing a song to the Baiga community asking to borrow soil, and a song to the Dumar [wild fig] tree, to borrow branches before any wedding," she observes. It is these stories, beliefs, myths, songs, and art that enrich the title, Chola Maati (Mapin) that will be released today as part of the exhibition, Chola Maati: Ballad of Bards.

Origins of an artist

Jangarh Singh Shyam. Pic courtesy/Wikimedia Commons, Sarmaya Arts Foundation, Mapin

The community traces their roots to the regions of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. "The Pardhans were bards who would move from village to village, singing of the achievements of the Gond kings on an instrument known as bana. With the fall of the Gond Empire, they slowly became an agrarian society. There are now very few bana singers left," the
author shares.

A canvas by Mayank Singh Shyam: Lotus leaves symbolise the eternal womb, while swimming fish represent the amniotic fluid

The community would celebrate auspicious occasions by inviting the bana singers, and decorating walls of their homes. This was the culture at Patangarh that Jangarh Singh Shyam was born into. "The designs were in geometric shapes, often inspired by nature. My father's imagination and contemporary style-shaped Gond art as we know it today," Mayank Singh Shyam, son of the famous painter shares.

Discovered by scouts of Bharat Bhavan led by artist Jagdish Swaminatha, Jangarh Singh Shyam's works evolved to new heights. "Over the years, there has been a gradual fading out of the early traditions, partly because of migration and changing lifestyles," Srivastava reveals.

Documenting culture

With Mayank illustrating the stories and myths through his art - "Created for the first time in the same earthen colours that the community uses," he shares - the book became a document of a culture. The collaboration of designer Komal Bedi Sohal added another visual element of photography.

Mayank Singh Shyam, Padmaja Srivastava, Komal Bedi Sohal

"While we were photographing them in Patangarh, it struck us that these stories and songs were invaluable," Sohal adds. She opted for black and white photography to complement the earthen colours of Mayank's creations.

"As for the songs, we wanted to document them before they fade away. The book now has QR codes that link to a SoundCloud where they are stored permanently," shares Srivastava.

The exhibition will capture a range of the cultural experience beyond just the visual facets. "Their traditions reveal an ecosystem. Sustainability is a way of life for them, reflected in art, too," shares Srivastava. Aptly so.

TILL July 12; 10 am to 5 pm
AT Sarmaya Arts Foundation, Lawrence and Mayo House, DN Road, Fort.
LOG ON TO urbanaut.app (to register)
ENTRY (RSVP mandatory)