Art and culture

Gond Tribe

The Gujarat High Court recently sought a response from a power distribution company, the Ahmedabad district collector, and a residential society after 95 families of the Rajgond tribe sought HC directions for electricity connections to their households.

About Gond Tribe

The Gond or Gondi (Gōndi) or Koitur are a Dravidian ethno-linguistic group. 

They are one of the largest tribal groups in India. According to the 2001 census, their population was nearly 11 million.

Distribution: 

The states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Odisha are home to the largest Gond populations. 

Gond tribes also live in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Gujarat.

Gonds are mainly divided into four tribes, namely Raj Gonds, Madia Gonds, Dhurve Gonds, and Khatulwar Gonds.

History:

Gonds settled in the Gondwana region in the ninth and thirteenth century AD. 

In the fourteenth century they ruled several parts of central India. 
They built a number of forts, palaces, temples, tanks, and lakes during the rule of the Gonds dynasty. 

The Gondwana kingdom survived till the late 16th century. 

Gond dynasties ruled in four kingdoms - Garha-Mandla, Deogarh, Chanda, and Kherla - in central India. 

Gonds have been warriors since the British period.

During the British regime in India, Gonds challenged the Britishers in several battles. 

They also gained control over the Malwa after the decline of the Mughals followed by the Marathas in the year 1690.

Language: 

The majority of Gond people speak dialects of Gondi, an unwritten language of the Dravidian language family. 

Some Gond have lost their own language and speak Hindi, Marathi, or Telugu, depending on which is dominant in their area. 

Economy: The basis of the Gond economy is agriculture, but they also practice animal husbandry.  Some Gond also gather wild plants to eat. 
Religion: The religion of the Gond tribes centers on clan and village gods, together with ancestor worship.

Customs and Festivals:
Keslapur Jathra and Madai are important festivals of the Gonds. 
Apart from this, they also celebrate Hindu festival called Dusshera.

Dokra artwork

Recently, the Prime Minister of India presented French President Emmanuel Macron with a meticulously crafted Dokra artwork.

About Dokra Artwork

Dokra art whichis also known as bell metal craft traces its origins back more than 4,000 years.

It is a form of folk art practiced by the Dhokra Damar tribes, who are traditionally metalsmiths.

These artisans are primarily found in eastern India, including West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand, with a notable presence inChhattisgarh as well.

Features of Dokra Artwork

No two pieces are ever the same.

Each sculpture is painstakingly handcrafted, drawing inspiration from mythology, nature, and daily rituals.

Process of Dokra Artwork

The method of making Dokra is done by combining the metallurgical skills with that of the lost wax technique.

Artisans begin by sculpting a basic clay model of the desired object.

This model is then coated in wax, where fine details are meticulously etched. Another clay layer is added to form a mold, into which molten metal—typically brass or copper—is poured.

The heat melts the beeswax, allowing the liquid metal to take the shape of the original model. Once cooled and hardened, the outer clay mold is broken away, revealing the finished sculpture.

Issues with Dokra Artwork: The rapid pace of urbanization, coupled with the rise of mechanized production techniques, has threatened the livelihoods of traditional artisans and endangered this ancient craft.

Banjara Community

Recently, the Lok Sabha Speaker addressed the members of Banjara community at the 286th birth anniversary celebration of Sant Sewalal Maharaja at Dr Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.

About Banjara Community

Banjara is made of various groups found throughout India and most of them are found in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka states in South India.

This community settled across the country with different names, have permanently abandoned their nomadic lifestyle and settled in their settlements called Tandas.

Language: They speak Gor Boli also called Lambadi which belongs to the Indo-Aryan Group of Languages. Lambadi has no script.

The majority of Banjara in India are Hindu; some have combined Hindu practices with their own animistic beliefs. 

Culture of Banjara Community

Banjara people celebrate the festival of Teej during Shravanam (in the month of august). In this festival young unmarried Banjara girls pray for a good groom.

Fire dance and Chari are the traditional dance forms of the banjara people.
Tattoos are very common in the banjara community. Like the banjara costume, Tattoo also express their personal style, identity and family connection.

Who is Santh Sevalal Maharaj?

He is considered a social reformer and spiritual teacher of the Banjara community.

He travelled across the country with his Ladeniya Troup to serve especially the forest dwellers and nomadic tribes.

Due to his extraordinary knowledge, excellent skills and spiritual background in Ayurveda and Naturopathy, he was able to dispel and eradicate myths and superstitions prevalent in the tribal communities.

Pardhi Community

Forest rights activists and lawyers across the country expressed their concern over the recent MP government order calling for extensive search and surveillance of nomadic tribes, including the Pardhi community, which is classified as a scheduled tribe.

About Pardhi Community

Pardhis are a nomadic community that, since the time of the Mughal emperors, have been hired to help in shikar (hunting), whether it was for sport for the British or for the royal kitchens of the ‘zamindars’ (landowners). 

They reside mainly in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, and also in small pockets of Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. 

The word pardhi comes from paradh, which means hunter in the Marathi language.

In 1871, the Pardhis were among the tribes notified as “hereditary and habitual criminals” under the colonial-era Criminal Tribes Act. 

After independence, the Indian government “denotified” these communities in 1952. 

Occupation: Though the major occupation of the Pardhi tribes is hunting and gathering, some have taken up diverse occupations like cultivation and some other occupations following the traditions of most of the tribes of the country.

Language:The main language of the Pardhi tribes is their local dialect, which is of the same name. 

Many of them also speak a dialect of the Gujarati language. 
In the northern parts of the country, they speak a combination of Hindi and Marwari. 

Beliefs: Though they are officially Hindu,most of the Pardhi practice ethnic religions. 

They are firm believers in the spirit world and its influence on the physical world. 

Soliga Tribe

Recently, the Prime Minister of India made a reference to the Soliga Tribal people of BRT Tiger Reserve in the 119th edition of Mann Ki Baat and appreciated their contribution to tiger conservation. 

They are a group of indigenous, forest-dwelling people found mostly in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

The term "Soliga" literally translates to "children of bamboo", which reflects the tribe's relationship with nature and their belief that they too have emerged from it.

They reside in the peripheral forest areas near Biligiri Rangana Hills and Male Mahadeshwara Hills.

Soligas was the first tribal community living inside a tiger reserve and getting their forest rights recognised by a court in a judgment in 2011.

Language of Soliga Tribes : The Dravidian language sholaga is spoken by the Soliga. They also speak Kannada and Tamil.

The Soligas live in single-room huts, built of bamboo and mud.

They believe in coexisting with the environment and have indigenous ways of using nature to make unique utility products, such as the ‘jottai’, which is a cup made out of leaves.

Religion of Soliga Tribes : Along with adhering to Hindu customs, the Soliga people practice naturism and animism.

Economy of Soliga Tribes

The traditional economy of the Soliga is mostly based on shifting cultivation and collection of minor forest produce.

Honey is an important part of the diet for the Soliga people, who still forage large parts of their food from the biodiversity-rich Ghats.

Devi Ahilyabai Holkar

Recently, the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), in collaboration with the Lokmata Ahilyabai Trishatabdi Samaroh Samiti, organized a special lecture on the life and legacy of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar.

About Devi Ahilyabai Holkar

Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar (31 May 1725 – 13 August 1795) was the Holkar Queen of the Maratha Malwa kingdom, India.

Under her rule Malwa enjoyed relative peace, prosperity, and stability, and her capital, Maheshwar, was turned into an oasis of literary, musical, artistic, and industrial pursuits.

Military contribution of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar

She was military-trained under her father-in-law Malhar Rao Holkar and personally led armies into battle. 

She appointed Tukojirao Holkar as the Chief of Army.

Administration of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar

She held daily public audiences to help redress the problems of the common man.

She earned a reputation for administering justice fairly during her rule, without partiality or partisanship. Ex: She sentenced her only son, found guilty of a capital offense, to death by being crushed by an elephant.

She also made some landmark decisions during her reign, including the removal of traditional law confiscating the property of childless widows.
Promotion of craft: She established a textile industry in Maheshwar,which today is very famous for its Maheshwari sarees. 

Cultural contribution of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar

She welcomed stalwarts such as Marathi poet Moropant, Shahir Ananta Gandhi, and Sanskrit scholar Khushali Ram into her capital.

She was a great pioneer and builder of Hindu temples.

She built hundreds of temples and Dharmashalas throughout India.

Her most notable contribution was the renovation and repair of the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple in 1780.

She passed away on August 13, 1795, at the age of seventy. 

Titles: John Keay, the British historian, gave the queen the title of ‘The Philosopher Queen’.

Dokra Artwork Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted an exquisite Dokra sculpture to French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to France in February 2025.
About Dokra Artwork

 Dokra artwork is an ancient and celebrated form of metal casting that originated in India over 4,000 years ago. 

It is known for its rustic charm and intricate detailing, this art form continues to thrive, particularly in regions like Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha. 

Dokra art is a bridge connecting India’s present with its tribal heritage. It reflects the harmony between humans and nature, the richness of folk traditions, and the creative spirit of indigenous artisans.

It is globally admired for its unique aesthetics and the use of a time-honoured technique called the lost-wax casting process.
Dokra pieces often depict tribal life, nature, animals, deities, and musicians. Each artwork tells a story:

Musicians and Dancers: Symbolize the central role of music and celebration in tribal culture.

Animals like Elephants and Horses: Represent power, prosperity, and reverence for nature.

Deities: Reflect indigenous spiritual beliefs and cultural practices.
Distinctive Features of Dokra Art

Handcrafted Uniqueness: No two pieces are identical, making each work a one-of-a-kind creation.

Earthy, Antique Look: The rustic finish and natural imperfections add to the aesthetic charm.

Tribal Essence: The motifs and patterns are deeply rooted in the everyday life and folklore of tribal communities.