Arts Forms of Madhya Pradesh

Apart from green woods, rich wildlife, forts and monuments, Madhya Pradesh also specializes in different arts and crafts. The intricate art of Madhya Pradesh reveal its rich culture and heritage. The works of art include bamboo and cane coverings, carpet weaving, durries, Folk Paintings, iron crafts, jute works, Metal crafts, ornaments, Papier Mache, stone carving, stuffed toys, terracotta, textile weaving, woodcraft and Zari embroidery.

During free time the locals of Gond, Baiga, Korku and Basar, keep themselves busy in crafting bamboo products like fishing traps, hunting tools and baskets. The folk paintings depict the cultural life of regions like Chhattisgarh, Bundelkhand, Malwa, Gondwa and Nimar. Also, the intricate works of Stone carvings are revealed through the temples and the monuments in Madhya Pradesh. Moreover, Gwalior specializes in Jalli works (patterns), Jabalpur and Tikamgarh famous for statues of humans’ structures and animals. These arts and crafts are well-maintained by the locals. Tourists specially visit this place to collect antiques and artifacts.

In the heartland of India lies the State of Madhya Pradesh. Filled with lush forests, magnificent monuments, exuberant festivity and blissful solitude. In this land of wonderful and contrasting variety, handicrafts lend a touch of mystique – a charm unique to Madhya Pradesh. They radiate an aura, exhibit hereditary skills, whisper painstaking craftsmanship and evoke an urgent desire to learn more about the land and its colourful people.

A deftly woven silk or a Cotton blended saree. Block printed fabrics, stuffed leather toys or floor coverings. Folk paintings, bamboo, cane or jute.Woodcraft, stonecraft, ironcraft.Metalcraft, terracotta, papiermache.Zari work (gold thread embroidery), ornaments, dolls., each handcrafted product of Madhya Pradesh is charming enough to sweep you off your feet.

Bamboo & Cane

Bamboo & Cane occupy an important place in rural life: utility articles such as agricultural implements, fishing traps, hunting tools and baskets are made of bamboo. In Madhya Pradesh these are generally made by a community called Basor or Basod, who sell them in weekly markets.

Shahdol, Balaghat, Mandla and Seoni regions of Madhya Pradesh are main bamboo producing centres. The artisans have skillfully harmonised their age-old knowledge and techniques with new designs, to meet modern market demands. The Gond, Baiga and Korku tribal communities are highly skilled in the craft of bamboo.

Dolls

Cute little dolls made out of small cloth pieces are produced in Gwalior, Bhopal and Jhabua. The work of Battobai, a craftswoman from Gwalior has achieved international fame.

The dolls made here are interesting pieces of work, influenced by different cultures and traditions of India mirroring the diversity and unigueness of the country

Floor covering Durries

The floor coverings of Madhya Pradesh consist mainly of durries and carpets in a rich variety of designs, Durries essentially a thick cotton woven fabric, is meant for spreading on the floor, and is made all over Madhya “Pradesh, especially near Sironj.

The basic technique of weaving a durrie in its most primitive form, can be seen in rural areas. The more universal durries are made by Women in their homes, in the ‘Purija’ technique. They are usually in bold patterns and bright colours with folk designs.

Apart from Sironj, Jhabua, Jabalpur and Shahdol are leading centres of durrie weaving in Madhya.

Cotton and wollen Punjab durries handwovinen various colors are designed to suit traditional as. well as modernhome decor, are generally based on kilndesigns, geometric traditional motifs & animal and human figures

Carpets

Since the Mughal times, Gwalior in Madhya Prudish has carved a Niche for its self in the wearing of carpets.

Later on; weaving also began in the Shahdoi&Mandla belt. The carpet weavers of Madhya Pradesh are undisputed masters of not only weaving carpets but dyeing also.

The colouring was earlier done by means of natural dyes, but presently it is being done with synthetic dyes as well. Pattern is an integral part of knotted carpets and traditional patterns have continued with varying combinations since the last 200 years.

Wool/en carpets are available in vibrant colours with both floral and geometric designs. The weavers have used their ingenuity to transform traditional motifs into modern designs; drawing from the treasury of ancestral motifs: trees and flowers in carefully blended colours.

Folk Painting

Throughout different periods of history, we find a definite established tradition of painting on various objects, particularly on intimate objects of everyday use, floors and wails; and in almost every instance the depiction being associated with some ritual.

Folk Paintings of Madhya Pradesh, specially the wall paintings of Bundelkhand, Gondwana, Nimar and Malwa are living expressions of people, intrinsically jinked with the socle-cultural ambiance of the area. They are not mere decorations but also spontaneous outpourings of religious devotions.

Specific Art Forms

Sanjhi
Mandanas
Thapa
Chitravan
Tribal Painting
Bhil Painting
Gond paintings
Pithora paintings
Gudna motifs

Sanjhi

Sanjhi is associated with a specific festival by the same name, which is celebrated by unmarried girls both in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. This festival lasts for sixteen days beginning with the full moon day in the month of Bhadrapada (August-September) till the new moon day in the month of Ashwin (September-October). This period is marked in the Hindu calendar as pitri-paksha, i.e. a fortnight dedicated to ancestors. During this period the ancestral spirits are believed to visit their families. It is important to note here that only unmarried women are allowed to make Sanjhi and after marriage, they give up this practice as prescribed by the ritual. Though the narrative and songs associated with Sanjhi do not make any direct reference to ancestral worship, the relationship between the two is obvious. Married women who give up their ancestral lineage to join their husband’s lineage are disallowed to practice Sanjhi in their paternal homes and take up the task of transmitting this art form and the associated ritual to their daughters who worship the ancestors of their fathers. Notwithstanding many myths and songs that have been superimposed on the Sanjhi ritual and image, it can be safely said that in its origin it is linked with the worship of female ancestral spirit or goddess and is deeply associated with notions of fertility and progeny. Commenting on the folk paintings associated with vratas and ritual, PupulJayakar writes: “The VrataKathas that today accompany these diagrams, stories that repeat identical themes lauding the value of the observance. In case of Sanjhi also, many narratives and songs have been added and made integral to the Sanjhi image transforming her archaic form into a folk goddess, very close and dear to young girls.

Sanjhi is drawn on walls that are first plastered with fresh cow-dung. On this surface various motifs are made in bas-relief with cow-dung. These motifs are then decorated with flowers, colourful and bright strips of paper and kharia (chalk solution). A new motif is drawn each day only to be scraped off the next day. From the thirteenth day onwards the process begins to draw up a full blown Sanjhi with all the motifs put together in a parallelogram with four gateways. This full blown image of Sanjhi is called kilakot, literally meaning ‘fortified dwelling’.

Mandanas

Mandanas are drawn both in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. In Rajasthan they are drawn both on the floor and on the wall, whereas in Madhya Pradesh they are mostly drawn on the floor. Mandana both refers to a specific form of drawing and also to the act of drawing as in chitramandana, to draw or paint. Mandana derives from the word mandan which means ornamentation or decoration. Mandanas are drawn by women using kharia (chalk solution) and geru (red ochre). They are drawn on the walls and floors of the houses, which are first plastered with clay and cow-dung mixture. Mandanas are festival decorations in line drawing and are iconic representation of various gods and goddesses. They are at once the seat on which a specific deity is invoked and also a symbolic representation of the deity. They are also indicative of the presence of the deity. Mandanas are drawn on the occasion of religious festivals and fasts and also during any auspicious ceremony at home concerning birth and marriage or a specially organized religious worship.

Thapa:

In its more basic form of hand prints, Thapa can be witnessed anywhere in the country both across time and across regions. In Rajasthan this art has acquired diverse forms and multilevel symbolism. Along with the usual hand prints, we witness here iconic representations of various gods and goddesses that are drawn during festivals, and religious ceremonies to appease specific deities, avert disease and evil influences. Many of these drawings are associated with specific seasons. MahendarBhanavat, our research associate puts various Mandanas and even Sanjhi tradition as sub-categories of Thapa art form. Thapas are drawn mainly by women with the help of kumkum, sindoor, henna, ghee and cow-dung. The main colours used for making Thapas of different kinds are red, yellow, green, blue, black and yellow. However, Thapas are usually drawn using single colour and kumkum is the main ingredient used in this form of drawing.

Chitravan:

We also investigated the world of Chitera painters of Malwa and Gwalior. Chitravan is a form of wall painting done by professional painters mostly men, though women also draw. The artists are called chiteras and make these paintings during festivals and other religious and ritual ceremonies. Chitravan is figurative and illustrative in its composition and draws its inspiration from religious narratives. This style is also called khyalmandana. In Chitravan there is a profusion of figures of gods, goddesses, animals, birds, flowers, creepers, celestial-nymphs and Musical instruments. Locally available clay, mineral and vegetable colours are used. Gum and resin is used to impart shine and stability to these colours. Intricate balance between figures, flowers, creepers and other decorative motifs is one of the highlights of this form. Another unique feature of this art form is the absence of any outline or an initial sketch, simple strokes of the brush gradually evolve into intricate and beautiful designs and figures.

In Gwalior Chitera – auli is a famous locality, where chiteras reside. Gwalior style differs from Malwa in terms of height, dress and ornamentation of main characters. Women painters render support at all levels, beginning with the preparing of colours and brushes, and in the actual process of painting. Some woman operate independently and paint at their client’s house during religious and ritual ceremonies. This is a commercial art form and chiteras are paid both in cash and kind. This form is also practiced on paper and is known as pana.

Tribal Painting:

Tribal Painting includes Bhil Paintings of Rajasthan, Gond and Bhil paintings of Madhya Pradesh including Pithora painting. In Rajasthan the Bhil tribal painting is known as Mandana, though it is different in style. It is mostly done on the walls of the houses. These paintings begin from the base of the wall and reach up to the hight of eight to ten feet. The surface is prepared for painting by plastering the wall with black or white coloured clay and cow-dung mixture.

Pithora Paintings

Pithora strictly belongs to the realm of the ritual; each line or dot that finds place here is pregnant with ritual and symbolic meanings. The process of painting is accompanied by music and singing, which form an integral part of the ritual and the painting process.

Pithora painting is made during the ritual worship of the Bhil deity Pithora. This worship is held to obtain good harvest, birth of a male progeny or as thanksgiving ceremony upon wish fulfilment. This ritual lasts for about 3 to 5 days and the whole clan and village community participate in the ritual. Being an expensive affair only rich members of the community undertake its organization. Though a collective affair, Pithora painting is mostly the work of professional painters known as lakhindra. Horses find a special place in Pithora paintings. They are representative of various deities and are drawn in rows. The horses of Pithora and Pithori are painted in the centre. Motifs and characters associated with the narrative of Pithora find their place in these paintings. Raja Indi, Pithora, Pithori, DharniDharti (earth), MalwiGori, Raja Bhoj, Kajal Rani and Kali Koyal are some of the main characters appearing in the paintings. It is of utmost ritual importance to paint the characters correctly and in their proper place. At night the painting is worshipped and gods are invoked through song, music and trance. The ritual specialist called ojha introduces each character in the painting and invokes his presence. Wine and goats are sacrificed during the ritual. The painting is sometimes plastered over with clay and cow-dung mixture after the ritual.

Red, yellow, black, blue, green, purple and white are the main colours used. Earlier colours prepared traditionally with locally available clay, Minerals, vegetables and stones were used. Today poster colours, acrylic and oil paints are also being used. New motifs like cycles, aeroplanes, motorcycle, jeep, bus, guns all find place in Pithora paintings, indicating the contemporaneity and dynamic character of folk paintings.

Gond Paintings:

Gond paintings can be found in inner and outer walls of the houses, windows and niches. The main colours used are: red, yellow, blue, black and white. These paintings are based on motifs taken from the oral narratives of Gonds. Local deities, cock fight, scenes connected with forest, agriculture, marriage and other rituals find place in these paintings.

Gudna:

Gudna refers to that style of painting, which is made by piercing the body with the help of a needle and injecting it with black colour obtained from lamp soot. Use of kumkum, milk of aak, leaves of bilva plant and juice of harsingar flower are also used at times.

Both men and women get their bodies painted in this manner. Both tribals and non-tribals are fond of Gudna. Gudnas are not only ornamental in value but also serve as identification marks of different tribal groups. Images of birds, animals, gods and goddesses, vertical, horizontal and diagonal lines, dots, flowers, swastika, sun and moon are some of the popular motifs used in Gudna. Married and unmarried women have specific designs of Gudna for different parts of the body. These designs have ritual and symbolic meanings. Gudnas are also drawn to ward off evil eye, gain good harvest, Health and fertility.

Madhya Pradesh is a state in central India. It is the second-largest state in India by area, after Rajasthan. The state has a rich cultural heritage, with a variety of art forms, including music, dance, art, literature, and crafts.

Music

Madhya Pradesh is home to a variety of musical traditions, including Folk Music, classical music, and religious music. Folk music is the most popular form of music in the state, and it is often performed at weddings, festivals, and other social gatherings. Classical music is also popular, and it is often performed in temples and other religious institutions. Religious music is also popular, and it is often performed at temples and other religious institutions.

Dance

Madhya Pradesh is also home to a variety of dance traditions, including folk dance, classical dance, and religious dance. Folk dance is the most popular form of dance in the state, and it is often performed at weddings, festivals, and other social gatherings. Classical dance is also popular, and it is often performed in temples and other religious institutions. Religious dance is also popular, and it is often performed at temples and other religious institutions.

Art

Madhya Pradesh is also home to a variety of art traditions, including painting, sculpture, and architecture. Painting is the most popular form of art in the state, and it is often used to depict religious scenes, historical events, and natural landscapes. Sculpture is also popular, and it is often used to create religious icons and other works of art. Architecture is also popular, and it is often used to create temples, palaces, and other buildings.

Literature

Madhya Pradesh is also home to a variety of literary traditions, including poetry, prose, and drama. Poetry is the most popular form of literature in the state, and it is often used to express love, loss, and other emotions. Prose is also popular, and it is often used to tell stories, describe events, and explore ideas. Drama is also popular, and it is often used to entertain and educate audiences.

Crafts

Madhya Pradesh is also home to a variety of craft traditions, including woodwork, metalwork, textiles, Pottery, papermaking, and jewellery. Woodwork is the most popular form of craft in the state, and it is often used to create furniture, utensils, and other objects. Metalwork is also popular, and it is often used to create jewelry, weapons, and other objects. Textiles are also popular, and they are often used to create clothing, blankets, and other objects. Pottery is also popular, and it is often used to create pots, dishes, and other objects. Papermaking is also popular, and it is often used to create paper, envelopes, and other objects. Jewellery is also popular, and it is often used to adorn the body.

The arts of Madhya Pradesh are a rich and vibrant part of the state’s culture. They reflect the state’s diverse history and geography, and they continue to evolve and grow today.

Here are some frequently asked questions about arts forms of Madhya Pradesh:

What are the different art forms of Madhya Pradesh?

The different art forms of Madhya Pradesh include:

Puppetry: This is a traditional form of entertainment that involves the use of puppets to tell stories.
Music: Madhya Pradesh has a rich tradition of music, including folk music, classical music, and Light music.
Dance: There are many different types of dance in Madhya Pradesh, including folk dance, classical dance, and modern dance.
Painting: Madhya Pradesh has a long history of painting, and there are many different styles of painting that are found in the state.
Sculpture: Madhya Pradesh is also home to a number of beautiful sculptures, which can be found in temples, palaces, and other public places.
What are some of the most famous artists from Madhya Pradesh?

Some of the most famous artists from Madhya Pradesh include:

Gandhi: Mohandas Gandhi, also known as Mahatma Gandhi, was a leader of the Indian independence movement and is considered the father of modern India.
Nehru: Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of India and is considered one of the founding fathers of the Republic of India.
Tagore: Rabindranath Tagore was a Bengali polymath who reshaped Bengali literature and music, as well as Indian art with Contextual Modernism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Author of Gitanjali, he became the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913.
Agarwal: Amar Nath Agarwal was an Indian painter and sculptor. He was born in 1919 in the village of Jhajjar, Haryana, India. He studied at the Government College of Art in Lahore, Pakistan, and the Sir J. J. School of Art in Mumbai, India. He was a member of the Progressive Artists’ Group, which was founded in Mumbai in 1947. He is best known for his paintings of rural India.
Shukla: Jyoti Prakash Shukla is an Indian painter and sculptor. He was born in 1939 in the village of Bhind, Madhya Pradesh, India. He studied at the Government College of Art in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India, and the Sir J. J. School of Art in Mumbai, India. He is best known for his paintings of rural India.
What are some of the most famous art institutions in Madhya Pradesh?

Some of the most famous art institutions in Madhya Pradesh include:

Bharat Bhavan: Bharat Bhavan is a multi-arts complex in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. It was founded in 1982 by the Indian government. The complex includes a museum, a library, a theater, and a number of art galleries.
Gandhi Memorial Museum: The Gandhi Memorial Museum is a museum in Rajghat, New Delhi, India. It is dedicated to the life and work of Mahatma Gandhi. The museum was founded in 1951.
Nehru Memorial museum and Library: The Nehru Memorial Museum and Library is a museum and library in New Delhi, India. It is dedicated to the life and work of Jawaharlal Nehru. The museum was founded in 1964.
Tagore House: Tagore House is a museum in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. It is dedicated to the life and work of Rabindranath Tagore. The museum was founded in 1961.
Agarwal Museum: The Agarwal Museum is a museum in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India. It is dedicated to the art and culture of Madhya Pradesh. The museum was founded in 1992.
Shukla Museum: The Shukla Museum is a museum in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. It is dedicated to the art and culture of Madhya Pradesh. The museum was founded in 1995.
What are some of the most famous art festivals in Madhya Pradesh?

Some of the most famous art festivals in Madhya Pradesh include:

The Khajuraho Dance Festival: The Khajuraho Dance Festival is an annual dance festival that takes place in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India. The festival features performances by dancers from all over India.
The Bhopal Film Festival: The Bhopal Film Festival is an annual film festival that takes place in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. The festival features films from all over the world.
The Indore Literature Festival: The Indore Literature Festival is an annual literature festival that takes place in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India. The festival features writers from all over India.
**The Gwalior Music Festival

Which of the following is not a dance form of Madhya Pradesh?
(A) Malwa Nritya
(B) Kathak
(C) Dandiya Raas
(D) Chau dance
Which of the following is not a musical instrument of Madhya Pradesh?
(A) Shehnai
(B) Dholak
(C) Sitar
(D) Guitar
Which of the following is not a folk art of Madhya Pradesh?
(A) Patua painting
(B) Kalamkari
(C) Madhubani painting
(D) Warli painting
Which of the following is not a festival of Madhya Pradesh?
(A) Holi
(B) Diwali
(C) Dussehra
(D) Christmas
Which of the following is not a cuisine of Madhya Pradesh?
(A) Laal Maas
(B) Poha
(C) Pav Bhaji
(D) Biryani

Answers:
1. (B)
2. (D)
3. (C)
4. (D)
5. (C)