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Art of the jungle
HEART FOR ART: Tribal art is worth a dekko.
Rows of people, hordes of animals, various hues, fabric colours instead of the old-fashioned vegetable dyes, some works on cloth and some on wall panels instead of barks like in the olden days.
About 70 of those pieces, in various sizes, were put up for display at an exhibition-cum-sale at the Gallery in the Taj Krishna for three days from Friday.
The exhibition was organised by the Tourism Department and the Department of Culture.
The designs on cloth were painted by members of Savara, a Scheduled Tribe found inhabiting the Eastern Ghats of Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts.
Their population in the State is a bare 1.05 lakh, according to the 1991 census.
The tribe is known for its art and creativity. They are known for painting indigenous art forms on the walls of their houses, including kitchen.
The designs on the walls, known as `Edising' and `Lingor', are drawn in honour of the dead, to avert diseases and also to promote festivity on occasions.
It is interesting to know the special distribution pattern of the objects d'art in the paintings. The organisation pattern of people and trees are different from that of mainstream art.
The objects are scattered on the cloth in a non-formal manner and the paintings show a sense of community feeling.
It is seen in many of the paintings, where people are found holding each other's hands.
Anyone paints only what they see and in the paintings it is clearly visible. Some of the paintings show people holding each other and dancing with animals all around. The influx of the modern, that is, people from the cities, and other people is seen. Some of the paintings show scissors, umbrellas and horses with saddles. The influence of naxalites is also seen in the pictures for some of the people are seen carrying firearms.
The exhibition is a must-see for connoisseurs of art and to those who are interested in tribals and their culture. Go ahead, get cracking, for it is only for two more days.
By Suresh Krishnamoorthy
Photo: P.V. Sivakumar
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