Tiger in Indian Traditional Arts

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Tigers have been an integral part of India’s cultural and traditional identity since time immemorial. Apart from attaining the title of India’s national animal, this species has come to be of great importance in the intricate web of folk and tribal traditions of the country.

It is true that an art form speaks volumes of a community’s beliefs and customs. It visually narrates the history and the traditions that are still alive. In short, a piece of art encapsulates the core values of a community’s cultural system.

This article, therefore, attempts to realise the various meanings the tiger holds for some of the traditional Indian art forms.

India and the Big Striped Cat

India has recognized the value of tigers for ages. It has been mentioned in every era, from the earliest to the very recent.

During the Indus Valley civilization (2900 BC-1900 BC), tigers were identified as magnificent beasts that were probably hunted and captured as feats of heroism. A famous Harappan tablet depicts a deity strangling two tigers. This possibly hints at one of the first recorded human-tiger conflicts in history. Moreover, tigers were also depicted as a cultural symbol on various seals. One such example is the Pashupati seal, where the tiger represents one of the followers of proto-Shiva or Yogi Shiva.

In addition, the tiger, as a sacred animal has been represented in the Hindu religious traditions since a long time. It has played an important role in Hindu mythologies and has earned the reverence that it enjoys even today.

The tiger is popularly known as the mount or Vahan of the Hindu goddess of power, Devi Durga.

It represents the female power borne out of Mother Earth and a repository of power which, together with Devi Durga, fights the evil forces.

Furthermore, the Hindu deity, Lord Shiva, is always pictured seated on a tiger skin. The tiger skin is symbolic of power and represents Lord Shiva as a deity beyond every power.

During the Mughal (1526-1857) and the British rule (1857-1947) in India, tigers were considered as the most savage beasts. Hunting tigers was a Herculean act and they were thought of as trophies for a hunter. It was due to this indiscriminate hunting that the population of tigers suffered a huge loss in the country. In order to control this, the post-independence Indian government came up with Project Tiger (1973) to conserve the species.

For the folk and tribal communities of India, tigers have been a deified entity. As these communities share a close and sacred bond with nature, tigers too, have come to be of great significance to them. From being worshipped to being feared as the king of the wild; tigers and humans have had a close-knit connection in India. This has further translated into their traditional art forms. Tigers grace many traditional Indian art forms, and hold deep meanings for different communities.

Let us take a look at some of these art traditions.

Gond Art

Tiger in the Grove in Gond by Sukhiram Maravi

Originating from the heart of India–Madhya Pradesh, the Gond tribe is well known for producing exquisite forms of art works that are intrinsic to their culture.

Gond wall art is a beautiful expression of the tribe’s beliefs and the intimate relationship it sustains with nature, even today. Many natural elements predominate this artform, along with images of deities, animals and birds.

Of all the animal imagery, images of tigers hold a special meaning for the tribe. Painting images of the big cat in natural vibrant colours and fascinating patterns, the Gond tribe considers it as one of their Devtas (gods). The tribe reveres the tiger by its divine name Bagheshwar. Not only is the tiger worshipped but it is also understood as the protector of the forest. Being close to the natural world that surrounds them, the Gond tribe harbours a sense of extreme respect for the king of the jungle.it is a tradition that has been passed on to every generation of the tribe. Hence, creating a beautiful likeness of the tiger in their quintessential colourful style is also a way of venerating Lord Bagheshwar.

Lord Bagheshwar is also customarily worshipped on special occasions, such as during the time of a girl’s wedding in the tribe. Typically, the girl’s family prays to Lord Bagheshwar and presents offerings too. Doing so is considered an auspicious activity that guarantees a good future.

Warli Art

Tiger God: Warli Painting by Anil Wangad

The captivating tribal art of Warli wall art hails from the Thane district of Maharashtra. It is practiced by the Warli tribe of the region.

Characterised by lean figures, made almost in a fashion of stick-figures, this art form carries with it the culture of the tribe. From narrating scenes of various festive occasions to those of the celebration of the harvest season, Warli art also recognises the importance nature holds for the tribe. The people of the tribe feel a deep connection between the natural word and their entire life cycle. They identify that nature and its bountiful fruits are of immense importance to them and thus, strive to respect them.

Similarly, the tiger is of great significance for the Warli tribe. It is considered as a much respected deity and is known as Waghya Dev (tiger god) by the tribe. Along with worshipping Waghya Dev, the tribe also considers the deity as a protector of their natural world. They believe that worshipping the deity also helps in spreading awareness about the importance of the conservation of tigers in the country.

Before the Indian festival of lights–Diwali arrives, the Warli tribe usually worships Waghya Dev under a tree. They consider it an auspicious ritual to kick-start the festivities.

Pithora Paintings

Tiger, Man, and the Tree in Bhil Painting by Geeta Bariya

Bhil art is a well known creative form of expression of the Bhil tribe. The tribe resides in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and also some parts of Sindh in Pakistan. Having a strong sense of community, the Bhil tribe has many customs and traditions that have continued for generations. One of their prime traditions is their profound relationship with Mother Earth. The tribe believes that every natural element has a soul and thus, attempts to respect them even in their day-to-day lives.

One of the most special styles of Bhil art is the Pithora paintings. These are ritualistic paintings that typically offer thanksgiving to various gods of the tribe. Among these, the Pithora tradition keeps the paintings of tigers in high regard. They are understood as the protectors of the celestial gates. The Bhils believe that they protect the inhabitants that reside within these gates. The ferocious nature of the tigers translates into dependable entities for guarding the celestial realm.

Thangka Paintings

The Tiger and the Mongolian man in Thangka painting by Gyaltsen Zimba

A traditional form of Tibetan Buddhist painting, Thangka paintings often evoke the spiritual tenets expounded in Tibetan Buddhism. These aesthetically pleasing works of art are often given the respect of sacred scriptures that narrate stories, leading to the spiritual awakening of the viewers. This amalgamation of artistic expression and the spiritual path is what makes these paintings a sight to behold!

As with everything in this style of art, tigers also hold a great spiritual significance. Tigers can have different meanings depending on the tone of the paintings. However, generally, tigers symbolise the qualities that are necessary for a warrior to embark on their spiritual path, such as–bravery, confidence, kindness and awareness. Apart from this, many deities in this sect of Buddhism are depicted in their wrathful manifestation while also shown as taming a tiger. This signifies the archetypal struggle between the wild forces of one’s own inner darkness and the triumph of inner peace attained through awakening one’s spirituality.

There are many more Indian art traditions that incorporate tigers, as an important motif, in their stylistic expressions. This list is, by no means, a definitive list of all the Indian art traditions that use tigers as a significant symbol. We encourage you to take your interests further and explore other such traditional art legacies!