ART SALUTE – Artists’ Tribute to Soldiers in India

Salute is a physical act as a formal sign of respect to someone who has served the society. Commonly it is done by raising the right hand to the side of the head.

Have you ever thought about why soldiers salute? Salute, the physical act, signifies trust and proves that the personnel is saluting without maliciousness and has no hidden weapons. It is a form of respect to the position (rank) of the senior personnel. Defense service personnel are always held in high esteem. And it is not just for those who are toiling and keeping vigil at our borders, but also for those involved in peace time activities like relief and rescue during natural calamities.

Wall Art for Art Salute as Tribute to Soldiers of Indian Army

Art Salute by Tribal Artists

Recently I witnessed the completion of a unique project – Art Salute, which was the Indian tribal artists’ way of saluting the soldiers of Indian Army. The tribal artists of Madhya Pradesh came together in Lucknow Army Command Centre to create large wall arts that conveyed the story of the Indian Army’s work during peace times.

(Artists create to connect, pursue their own vision. They create in their own way because there is no right way or wrong way. That, I guess takes the pressure off to create, enables them to focus on their own unique brand of magic.)

Over the five days I was there I saw the work from scratch (read outlining), to fill it with colors little by little and the final unveiling of the completed art. Read on to know about this unique project Art Salute created by A Hundred Hands, an NGO, and The Times of India, powered by Nerolac Paints India and supported by AWWA (Army Wives Welfare Association).

Gond and Bhil artists

About the art and the artists

Eight artists, including two lady artists, specializing in Gond and Bhil art toiled on the wall with their brushes and paints to create the masterpiece.

The Gondi or Gond or Koitur are a Dravidian ethno-linguistic tribal group. They are one of the largest tribal groups in India. They are spread over the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha.

I have explained elaborately about Gond Art in my blog here –> Gond Art Souvenirs

Bhil or Bheel is an ethnic group in India. Bhil tribal people are distributed widely in upland areas of several states.  You can find them in central Rajasthan, western Maharashtra, in western Madhya Pradesh, and in southeastern Gujarat on the west.

Difference between Gond and Bheel Art

Bhil art is slightly different from Gond art. Difference between Gond and Bhil art is Bhils use only dots in all colours. They are uniformly sized. The dots are scattered or drawn in neat formation, almost similar to aborigine art. In contrast, each Gond artist has evolved a signature filling pattern, a kind of signature art of each artist. They use dots, dash, circles — and these are almost-always in the colour black.

Wall Art as Art Salute

Tribute to Soldiers – Wall Art Theme

The nine panels of the wall art cover the peacetime activities in eight Indian states. Read on to understand how several layers have been woven in each panel highlighting the role of the Indian Army, the flora and Fauna in each state.

The thread of continuity between the different stories is the flow of Ganges through the seven of the eight states.

The panels of the wall also show the movement of sun from dawn to dusk, using it as a metaphor to show the early, peak and retired stages of army man’s life.

Himachal Pradesh

I had been to Kufri and Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, but never saw their state bird and animal. One has to trek the Himalayas to see the Western Tragopan and Snow Leopard. While the Western Tragopan has been done in Bhil art, the Snow Leopard is in Gond art. Don’t miss the colorful Rhododendrons.

Sun rise and River Ganges is shown starting between the mountain ranges of Himalaya. The panel also depicts the training of army personnel preparing them for all adverse climatic conditions and terrains.

This panel was by Gond artist, Kailash Pradhan.

Uttarakhand

Loved the depiction of Brahma Kamal, the state flower in this panel. It is a rare flower, blooming only once a year, in the Himalayas. Scientifically known as Saussurea Obvallata, it comes under the Sunflower family, Asteraceae. The bright blue Himalayan Monal sitting pretty on the mountain peak took my breath away. Then there is the Mountain Goat and Alpine Musk Deer in the valley.

This panel also depicts the rescue activity conducted by the army during the flood relief in the 2013 Uttarakhand floods.

Uttar Pradesh

Ashoka Tree takes the centre space here. Two Sarus cranes stand majestically watching the River Ganges flow by. In the same panel there is the Ganga-Jamuna sangam, a mix of two colors of water (two shades of blue); such was the level of detailing. The army is shown involved in rescue operations of Kumbh Mela stampede.

The entire panel is by Gond Artist Dhaneshwar.

Fifth panel is a mix of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar

It has the famous landmark of Lucknow – Imambara and Peepal Leaf, a representation of Bihar. The army man is midway in his career, enjoying family life – represented by small kids playing. Notice, the landscape is getting greener.

Bihar

This depicts the floods of Kosi River and the army relief operation done here. Sports, an important facet of the Indian army, are depicted with a good amount of detail. You can see a Javelin thrower, equestrian and award winners. Sun is overhead and army men too in the peak of their service life.

It amazed me how the artists wove in all in a detailed manner on the wall.

Madhya Pradesh

Indian Paradise Fly Catcher, Indian Hog Deer and the Palash Tree – are the highlighted symbols of Madhya Pradesh. The army personnel involved in target practice. Gond artist Mithilesh Shyam has done the panel.

Flora and Fauna of Indian States

Jharkhand

The terrain becomes dense jungle with many wild animals. Dassam Falls, a natural cascade across the Kanchi River, a popular destination of Jharkhand is shown in the centre of the panel.

Elephant is the state animal of Jharkhand. I was not aware of this. Were you? The striped elephant and wild boar will stir up a child’s mind for sure. The colors used for Koel are awe inspiring too. Then there are wild buffalo, Nilgai, monkey, and tiger standing in a group under the Mahua Tree. This wall was the canvas of Santu Tikam, the Gond artist.

Chhattisgarh

This panel is special because this is completely done by a lady Bhil tribal artist Kamta. I saw her working tirelessly filling up the shapes with dots. I too tried my hand at Bhil art and realised the immense amount of patience one has to have to do the art. Since wild life was the theme Kamta let her mind and heart take over the canvas and this panel probably has the most number of subjects drawn.

Odisha

The end of the day, sunset and army life, it represents the war widows, veterans being taken care of. It has the Konarak Temple and wheel, the major landmarks of the state. Pelicans in the right and mangrove trees in the left, represent the flora and fauna of the state. This was done by renowned Gond artist Venkat Dhyam and his daughter.

Peacock

Last but not the least, they have drawn a beautiful peacock which is a combination of Gond art and Bhil art. This is between the Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh panels. Peacock is India’s national bird, so it does deserve that special place.

Where was the Wall art for Art Salute by tribal artists of India made?

The wall art consisting of nine panels was made in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

Conclusion

One of the most beautifully executed project, a true tribute to Indian Army, indeed an ideal ART SALUTE! Not only will this wall art motivate many to join Indian Army but also enhance the knowledge about the state birds, animals and flowers.

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