Tribal Tradition

Organised as part of the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of the college,in collaboration with TRIFED,the aim of the event is to promote tribal art and artists. The exhibition will travel to educational institutes in other cities as well,with Chandigarh as the starting point.

The painting section brings in creative expressions of tribal artists from Gond,Bhil,Muria,Rathwa,Saura and Warli tribes of Madhya Pradesh,Chhattisgarh,Gujarat,Orissa and Maharashtra respectively. The Pithora paintings are colourful and vibrant – with horses dominating the canvas to represent the Pithora Deo (god),along with other deities. The Gond paintings bring to fore simple forms decorated with lines and dots,with themes such as festivals,rituals,deities,animals,birds,trees and village life.

“Through this exhibition,we hope to make youngsters aware of the unique history,culture and art of various tribes and bring their art into the mainstream,” chips in Dr DS Kapoor,principal of the college.

In the metal section,Dhokra metal craft by Gadba tribe of Chhattisgarh is unique — as is the process which it entails. The artisans use lost wax technique,which involves patterning a clay core with wax ribbons and coating it with a mix of clay and hay. The Longpi stone pottery from Manipur is a speciality of the Thankul tribe,and is done with moulds and not on the potter’s wheel. Apart from the characteristic grey black pots,there’s a selection of stout kettles and table lamps.

Ten artists will visit the college to talk about various processes used to create their art,and artistes from different regions will perform traditional dances.

The exhibition is on at Government College of Art,Sector 10,till January 24