Madhya Pradesh’s Famous Gond Painting Receives GI Tag

It is utilized in industrial products, foods, agricultural products, alcoholic beverages, and handicrafts. GI Tag ensures that no one other than the registered authorized user may use the popular product's name.

Padma Shri awardee and well-known Gond artist Bhajju Shyam stated, "It's a source of pride for us. People from tribal and Gond-dominated communities will now benefit directly from this." "They tell us about nature, trees, plants, animals, moon, sun, river, drains, God and Goddesses," the Padma Shri awardee remarked of Gond paintings.

"The picture explains what foods are fed, how ploughs are formed, how the king used to fight, and how the powers of tantra mantra (Black magic) functioned." "The main source of Gond painting has been Dindori, it has been expanded from place to place in Dindori," Dindori collector Vikas Mishra told. Obtaining the GI tag indicates that the authority has agreed that the original source is the Dindori district."

He went on to say that "some other people used to get them work and pay them as labour in the area, and now our authority would be developed in that. Now, we have decided, in collaboration with NRLM (National Rural Livelihood Mission) and NULM (National Urban Livelihood Mission), to bring the painting in a low-cost model from which we can make greeting cards, mobile covers, and bag covers, because not every man can afford a large painting." "We must work in accordance with market demand and supply," he continued.

"Gondi painting is not just a medium of employment for us; it is our identity, our respect, and our symbol," the collector added. The picture depicts the entire human existence and its journey. Each picture has its own narrative. We have made Amarkantak the focal point for its promotion, and we are also routing the major hotels in Jabalpur."

Notably, Patangarh village in Dindori district is one of these villages, with an artist in every house. Their work is well-known not just in the state, but also internationally. Narbadiya Armo, a physically handicapped tribal woman from Khannat village, paints her lips. She has served as an inspiration and a symbol of strength for any woman who has found herself powerless. Narbadiya Armo's paintings will get name-fame, identification, and a fair price after receiving the GI tag.