Iconic Art

Otto Jungarrayi can expertly hunt kangaroos back home in Yuendumu,a remote part of Northern Territory,Australia...

Artworks by a remote Aborigine community in Australia find their way to Delhi

Otto Jungarrayi can expertly hunt kangaroos back home in Yuendumu,a remote part of Northern Territory,Australia,while his wife Ormay Nangala Gallagher can still coax the best honey from the hives. Like all Aborigine couples,however,both are also painters who continue their indigenous tradition of re-telling ancient stories that are vivid with colour and meaning. The husband-wife duo is on their first trip to Delhi,where their canvases are part of an exhibition of more than 40 Aboriginal paintings at the India Habitat Centre.

Gallagher,43,points to her untitled canvas on water dreaming. It is a bright burst of colourful dots,but hidden under the circles and flowing lines is a symbolism that defines the Aboriginal way of life. The blue arrows that are spread across the canvas are emus, she explains as Erin McNama-White,art coordinator of the Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Association,which has organised the exhibition,recalls how the sands of the central deserts of Australia where Jungarrayi,49,and Gallagher stay,is criss-crossed with arrow-like footprints after emu visits.

Like all Aboriginal women,Gallagher cannot talk about a mans story, so Jungarrayi shows how his painting on Yanjilpiri Jukumpa or star dreaming has earthly places surrounded by stars. Each painting is but a tiny part of a huge story and has been passed down generations for more than 40,000 years, he explains. Jungarrayi took up the paintbrush when he was 36 years old,though Gallagher says that in her home,art was a way of life from the time she was very young.

Jungarrayi and Gallagher were part of the Aboriginal children who were sent to school and learnt English. Gallagher is also a translator of Warlpiri and English texts,but both persist with their traditional lifestyle burning bushy patches to smoke out the Australian monitor lizards called goanna,which make for a good feast,and then ensuring the grass grows back and attracts kangaroos and other animals. And theres no question of formal school education killing the artist in an Aboriginal child. That will not be allowed to happen, says Jungarrayi. Neither would we like a system,like in India,where some people are rich and others very poor. In our close-linked community,everybody has enough.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram