Indian tribal art makes big impact at G20 summit

To make the heads of State attending the G20 Leadership Summit 2023 in New Delhi along with their delegates, familiar with India’s rich tribal and indigenous culture, a special exhibition is being held today and tomorrow.

In this show, the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd and Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs are showcasing a wide range of traditional tribal art, artifacts, paintings, pottery, textiles, organic natural products and many more. The exhibition is being hosted at the Tribes India pavilion at the Crafts Bazaar (Hall 3) which is located in Bharat Mandapam, the venue for the Summit at New Delhi’s Pragati Maidan.

The show will provide a first-hand experience of these age-old arts to the visitors. They can watch renowned artist of Pithora art, Padma Shri Paresh Rathwa giving a live demonstration of the richness and ritualist art revered by Rathwa, Bhilala, Naik and Bhil tribes of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. This demonstration is sure to help in revival of these crafts and India’s cultural richness and also trigger curiosity of the visitors coming from around the world.

Apart from Pithora art there are Gond paintings from Madhya Pradesh and Saura paintings by artisans from Odisha – both captivating to the eye – on display. Beautiful Angora and Pashmina shawls from the high altitudes of Leh-Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, woven by the Bodh and Bhutia tribes too are sure to catch the eye just as are the colourful jewellery crafted by the Konyak tribes of Nagaland.

The variety of silk in India too will be on display and people can see and feel the richness of the Maheshwari silk sarees from Madhya Pradesh which are worn during religious functions and auspicious events as well as Eri or Millenium Silk which are delicately made by Bodo tribe from Assam.

The Dhokra jewellery made by tribal artisans hailing from West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh are also part of the exhibition. These are carved out of molten metals, beads, colourful glass pieces, and wooden balls, all of which lend a touch of ethnicity and exotic to these accessories.

The tribal artisans from the Meena tribe of Rajasthan display grace and beauty through their metal Ambabari craft. These products are made using enamelling which is the art of colouring or decorating a metal surface by attaching delicate designs of flowers, birds, etc. on the surface. These are widely purchased as home décor as they provide traditional grace and serenity.

Many natural products of the tribes like Araku Valley coffee, honey, cashews, rice, spices from various States of India including Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra will also be showcased along with several others which are promoted by TRIFED.