Bhil Art : Where Dots Tell Stories
The Bhil Art is an embodiment of spiritual connection, belief, history and way of life of the Bhil tribe. Each painting depicts a story from daily activity, animals, trees, deities and others which can be even traced back in their folktales and folk songs. With its vivid storytelling, vibrant colours and dot patters, the Bhil art thrives as a unique form of expression from the ancient times till now.
Tracing the History of Bhil Art
The Bhils are one of the oldest and most significant indigenous tribes of India inhabitanting in the forests of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujrat and Maharashtra which David Roche has called the “Bhil Culture Zone“. Historical reference can be drawn from Mahabharata as the epic mentioned Eklavya, a skilled archer who belonged to the Bhil community. This signifies the long standing connection of the forest dwelling life and archery; while in Ramayana it is mentioned the Bhils helped Lord Rama during his time of exile in the forest. This shows how the Bhils lives were intertwined with nature and its resources.
Al – Biruni in his book Kitab ul- Hind mention the various tribal groups like the views in India he mentioned them to be expert Hunter gatherers who coexisted peacefully with the nature and their art frequently featured hunting scenes animals and forest sceneries. Similarly Ibn Battuta made reference to the Bhils in his travelogs and he mentioned them to be a resiliant community but he did not make any significant mention of their art.
It is during the colonial period James Tod in his Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan highlighted the Bhils artistic ability of storytelling using visal art. The stories behold their spiritual believes and magnifies on the local legends. James Campbell also observed that the Bhils honoured their ancestors and deities by painting the walls in their homes, especially during the festival seasons. The documentation of the Bhill art gain momentum during the 20th century through cultural preservation and ethnographic studies. Scholars have noted a parallel between the Bhil art and the rock art from prehistoric caves, suggesting a linear that dated back thousand of years . Unlike other tribal art form, Bhil art hardly indulges into the personal experience then strictly adhering to religion and communal connotations.
Proliferation of the art
The Bhil art proliferated due to its resilience and adaptative quality. Initially created on the walls of the Bhil homes, the Bhil artists soon realised the need of cultural representation and preservation, Thus, they started showcasing the art on canvas papers and even textile. This led to a growth in reaching audience globally. To preserve the essence in this changing world, organisations like Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Art and initiative of the government and NGOs have played a significant role in bringing the artists and their work in the limelight. The participation of the artist in the art fair and exhibitions have provided them a bigger platform too. Artists like Bhuri Bai and other female artists have experimented with the themes and mediums to gain contemporary edge.
Essence and Iconography of Bhil Art
“Everything in our life revolves around art” – Artist Sher Singh
Art is an integral part of the Bhil community. Tied with spiritual practices and seasonal cycles, artist practice this during festivals, weddings and other significant events to mark and store the memories. It is often celebrated with music, dance along with feasting and drinking. The community believes that the art has the power to solicit blessings, protect them against evil and foster the sense of unity in the community. Steeped with the these traditions and symbolism, the rich texture of the paintings connect them to the nature and their adivasi life that is thir legacy.
- The very first step of learning Bhil art for all the artists is to begin with mastering the dots – a skillfully repetition of uniform patterns and colours. These dots are the distinctive identity of the Bhil art as it upholds multiple layers of symbolism inspired by the kernels of maize, food crop and each group of dots often represent a particular deiti or ancestors. Each artist has a unique composition of the dots to codify each art work with signature visible to the train eyes. The dots represent harmony and continuity while blending the elements of the piece seamlessly.
- Other key motifs like natural elements, Gods, ancestors and motifs from mundane lifestyle is also present.
- The different kinds of trees, animals and birds symbolise the tribes dependency on the nature. The trees highlight the indigenous varieties while the animals showcase the range of wild and pets they were surrounded with and the birds highlight the different kind of species present in the region. Zebu and buffalo are the most used animals while zebu was commonly used for agriculture, buffalo was specially nurtured for their milk.
- Deities like Pithora Dev and ancestral spirits are present in the paintings reflecting upon the tribes spiritual believes and practices. The folktales highlights stories of their prayers and traditions which are depicted through these symbols in the painting.
- Scenes from hunting-gathering, farming and community gatherings highlight the collective identity of the Bhils and the practices of their daily routine. These instances also highlight the tools and weapons they used and how they conducted themselves.
Difference with other indigenous artforms : Bhil art shares similarity with Gond art and Pithora art but it has distinct techniques and significance. Gond art is known for its intricate detailing and depiction of myth, nature and the deities and it is a more structured and narrative driven artform. Pithora art is ceremonial and follows specific rituals highlighting large scale murals with celestial elements and particularly horses.
Challenges and Revival
Despite it’s growing popularity, the art form has face challenges like economic constraints of many artist and inadequate resources and market access while another challenge is a urban migration and modernisation that threats the preservation and transmission of the traditional knowledge.
However in the recent years, the distinct aesthetic of the Bhil art has appealed the textile industry and has been featured in sarees, scars and ethnic wear which has brought the tribal essence into the main stream fashion. Brands have made a beautiful blend of sustainable products while reflecting the cultural heritage. Deigners like Aneeth Arora and brands like Tata CLiQ have given a spotlight to trible arts in their collection. Another use of Bhil patterns is in the block prints and digital prints that has gained popularity. The tribal motifs are also used in creating jewellery and handbags offering a blend of the traditional and contemporary designs.
Books like A Bhil Story and other children’s book have often used Bhil art to depict the legends, folk tales and themes of nature while introducing the readers to this rich heritage. Such contributions have also gained acclaim for their visually rich and meaningful story telling.
Bhil art has evolved and incorporated new forms of expression and themes while holding tightly to its traditional roots. This fusion ensures the Bhil art and its artist a prominent position in the contemporary artistic landscape.
