Gond painting is a tribal art form from Madhya Pradesh, made by artists of the Gond and Pardhan Gond communities. Artists build animals, trees, birds and people out of dots, dashes, lines and repeated patterns, and use bright colours to tell stories from nature and Gond folklore. Gond painting received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2023.
History of Gond art
Gond communities have long decorated the walls and floors of their homes with motifs for festivals and rituals. The art moved onto paper and canvas in the 1980s, when the young Pardhan Gond artist Jangarh Singh Shyam from Patangarh village in Dindori district was invited to Bharat Bhavan in Bhopal. His style, now called Jangarh Kalam, inspired a generation of painters, including his wife Nankusia Shyam.
How to Read a Gond Painting
Gond artworks use repeated marks, rhythmic lines and patterned surfaces to build the bodies of animals, birds, trees and other subjects. Each artist develops a signature fill pattern, such as dots, fish-scale shapes, waves or seeds, which works almost like a signature. The exact visual language varies between artists, making the individual maker important when understanding a particular work.
A simple way to read one: start with the main figure, then follow the outline, then look inside the outline at the fill. The outline gives the story. The fill shows the hand of the artist.
Nature, Animals & Storytelling
Common subjects include the tree of life, forests, birds, deer, elephants, fish and tigers, alongside gods, village life and folk tales. A tree full of birds can tell of harmony between people and nature; a deer under a tree may illustrate a story passed down orally for generations.
Two subjects have their own guides: read about the tree of life in Indian art and the meaning of elephants in Indian paintings and statues. You can also browse Tree of Life paintings and elephant art across crafts.
Colours and materials
Traditional wall paintings used natural colours from charcoal, cow dung, coloured soil and plant extracts. On paper and canvas, artists today mostly use acrylic paint and ink, which keeps the bright, flat colours the style is known for.
The Artists Behind Gond Art
Treasure of India works with Gond painters including Nankusia Shyam, Rita Shyam, Reshma Shyam and Garima Tekam. Explore our artist profiles and use the Craft Map of India to understand the regional context behind Indian art.
The collection also lists work by Ramesh Shyam, Santu Tekam, Dinesh Shyam and Japani Shyam. Each artist has a separate collection page, so you can compare fill patterns side by side before you choose.
Gond Painting Price
Original Gond paintings at Treasure of India currently range from ₹2,599 to ₹1,18,999, depending on size, medium (paper or canvas) and the artist. The site converts ₹ prices to your local currency.
- Paper works by Reshma Shyam: currently from ₹2,599, with many at ₹3,990.
- Works by Dinesh Shyam and Santu Tekam: currently from ₹3,990 and ₹4,990.
- Paper works by Rita Shyam and Ramesh Shyam: currently from ₹6,990.
- Large works by Nankusia Shyam: currently from ₹85,999 to ₹1,18,999.
Three things move the price: the size of the surface, the density of the hand-painted fill, and the standing of the artist. A small paper work can be painted in days. A large canvas filled edge to edge with fine pattern takes far longer.
How to Choose an Original Gond Painting
- Look closely at the fill: hand-painted dots and dashes vary slightly in size and spacing.
- Check the signature: most Gond artists sign their work.
- Consider size and medium: paper works suit studies and bedrooms; large canvases make a living room focal wall.
- Ask for a certificate: every piece at Treasure of India comes with one.
Prints are common online, so it helps to know the signs. A print has a flat, even surface and every dot is identical. Under a phone camera zoom you may see a grid of tiny ink points. A hand-painted work shows small ridges of paint, lines that thicken and thin, and dots that drift a little. If you buy from abroad and cannot see the piece in person, use the "Request a video call" button on the product page to view it live on WhatsApp. Our guide on how to buy original Indian folk art online lists more checks.
Framing and Care
- Frame paper works behind glass with a mount, so the paint does not touch the glass.
- Hang the painting away from direct sunlight, which fades colour over time.
- Keep it away from damp walls, kitchens and bathrooms.
- Dust the frame with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use water or cleaning sprays on the painted surface.
- Store unframed paper works flat, between sheets of acid-free paper.
Buying Gond Art Online: Worldwide Shipping
We ship Gond paintings worldwide from our gallery in Palam Vihar, Gurugram, India, including to the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, the UAE and Europe. Orders usually arrive in 2 to 3 weeks. International shipping is a flat ₹4,000 per order. Within India, delivery is free on orders of ₹2,999 and above and ₹199 below that. Customs duties and import taxes are paid by the buyer; see international shipping, customs and duties. Every artwork ships with a signed certificate of authenticity naming the artisan. We do not accept returns, except for a piece that arrives damaged; see our returns and refunds policy.
Explore the Gond painting collection and discover related Madhya Pradesh art and Indian tribal and folk art. Gond paintings were part of NAVRATNA, the exhibition that opened our gallery in Palam Vihar, Gurugram in October 2026.
Gallery visits are by appointment, Monday to Sunday, 11 AM to 8 PM. Book a visit.
Explore More Indian Folk Art
If you like Gond art, read about Warli painting and Sohrai painting, two other tribal traditions, or see the art forms of India by state. View all Gond paintings.
FAQs
What is Gond art?
A tribal painting style from Madhya Pradesh made with dots, lines and patterns, showing animals, trees and folk stories.
Who started modern Gond painting?
Jangarh Singh Shyam brought Gond art onto paper and canvas in the 1980s, and his style is known as Jangarh Kalam.
Does Gond painting have a GI tag?
Yes. Gond painting of Madhya Pradesh received a GI tag in 2023.
What does the tree of life mean in Gond art?
It stands for the link between all living things, and is a very common Gond subject.
What is the price of an original Gond painting, and do you ship abroad?
Original Gond paintings at Treasure of India currently range from ₹2,599 to ₹1,18,999. We ship worldwide for a flat ₹4,000 per order, and delivery usually takes 2 to 3 weeks.
