Bhil Art- Uniqueness in Simplicity.

 

 

 

The Bhil community are known to follow an agricultural lifestyle, living closely with their surroundings. Bhil paintings are beautiful, artistic and imaginative. The art itself is associated to the surroundings that the communities live in. Hence, the  elements such as rituals, folklores, songs and tattoos are a centre point to their artistic expression. The paintings depicts changing seasons, landscape of fields during harvest season and rituals performed to various gods. Bhil art also sees strong influences of the natural environment in it. Traditionally, Bhil paintings are done to decorate their homes. The most important part of the Bhil painting is preparing the wall with plaster and earth. After which, the artists paint the walls in beautiful legends and traditions. Mainly, walls and floors have been painted by women folk with mythological stories and images from nature. The basic element of Bhil art is Story-telling and artists describe various stories on a particular ceremony through their art. Traditionally in Bhil art, especially large but life like shapes of common characters are drawn. These motifs are then filled with earthy but bright colours in plain form.

 

The truly distinguishing feature of these paintings is undoubtedly the dotted patterns used to create the ending beautiful masterpiece. It is rightly said that Bhil Art encompasses the figure of speech that is symbolism. There are primarily two reasons behind this: firstly, about the stories that are symbolised by these paintings and secondly because each dot, which in itself might be insignificant but joined together, make a magnum opus. Every little dot matters in the bigger picture, which is truly something wonderful when you think about it. Another element that is said to stand out is the seeming randomness of the dots but that is because each artist has their unique style and therefore one dot might be within a forest and another in the portrait of a deity. The characters are from everyday life and are depicted using vibrant colours which adds to the allure of the painting. These paintings are such that one cannot miss them and is bound to recognise them immediately.

 

Bhil art imagery encompasses religious rituals, ceremonies and festivals and is strongly embedded within their social and cultural belief, ways of life and natural environment. From simple clay-relief on walls- marking festivity, ritualistic paintings, wood and stone carvings, pottery, terracotta art, rich ornaments and tattooed bodies, the Bhil, Bhilalas and Rathwas have been able to preserve and express their tradition over the centuries. There have been several changes in concept, styles and medium among the Bhils but the central theme remains largely unchanged, some of them are listed below.  

 

 

In this clay-relief work, Bhuri Bai recalls her younger days when she lived with her parents in Navapara, Khangera, Gujarat and participated in a Gad-Gadhera ceremony. This social ceremony is aimed at the finding. suitable partner. After Holi and on the eve of Akadashi (first day of lunar cycle), the Gad-Parv is organised to examine the physical strength, power and ability of eligible bachelors. A big wooden pole is smoothened and smeared with oil. On the day of the ceremony, the pole is erected and a bag of jaggery, coconut and some coins is fixed on the top. The unmarried girls encircle the pole, holding stick sand brooms in their hands and dance in circles. There is an outer circle comprising of men who also dance and seek an opportunity to break through the circle of girls. Finally, the man who ultimately climbs the pole and retrieves the bag has the right to marry any of the girls from the circle. The artwork also shows puppeteers, a man raising a flag in support of his friend and men playing music and drums. The finale is a sacrificial scene which marks the successful execution of the ceremony. 

 

 

 

The traditional art form of the Bhil community is to decorate the walls of their houses, shrines and temples. Artistic drawings and paintings are done one mud walls with natural colour. The colour these paintings is prepared from leaves and flowers. The traditional colours are mostly prepared from rock or clay which are obtained from the surroundings around the village. Neem twigs are frayed and used as brushes to fill in the colour. Another important aspect utilized in these traditional paintings is that the middle or ring finger is utilised to fill in the colours. There are various treaditonal colours that are utilised in bhill paintings. Carbon in used cells is converted into black colour, turmeric is used for yellow colour, black berry is used for blue and purple whereas lime is utilised for white colouring agent. Bhil paintings try to utilise nayurtal ingedients for their paintings. A paste for each colour is create by crushing the raw materials into a fine powder and mixed with warm water. Often, rice powder paste with water is used as paint. Nowdays, Bhil paintings have moved onto more modern canvas for which acrylic and synthetic paintings are being utlisied. Thus, allowing the painting to move beyond walls and onto paper and canvas. 

 

 

Due to appreciation for the Bhil Art, it has been adapted in the modern mainstream world as well. Although the medium has been drastically changed with the clay being replaced with canvas, the utilization of acrylic colors instead of those naturally obtained. Still, it is some much needed-recognition to this artform. Today, these paintings are sold for an incredibly high amount both nationally and internationally and it is a point of pride for us to see this art completely blossom to the heights it has reached today.

 

Bhil Art is without a doubt truly breathtaking but what is even more fascinating is that just through their paintings, we see that the tribal community of Bhils brings out such important lessons that everyone could benefit from learning. It speaks to the knowledge of the tribes as well the in-depth meaning that can be portrayed through art which is in a way, liberating because all artistic expression has a story to tell that brings out the personality of the artist and to be able to speak through colors is something liberating. It is rightly said, “Artistic expression is the lifeline to true inner freedom.”

 

Further Reading and References