A unique exhibition titled ‘Swadesh’, showcasing the diverse and vibrant folk and tribal art traditions of India, was held in Dubai. Organized under the banner of Vidisha’s Creations, the event aimed to bring greater recognition to the lesser-known art forms from various regions of the country.

The ‘Swadesh’ exhibition gave special focus to lesser-known art forms such as Manjusha’s art and Gond art, which are often overshadowed by the more famous Mithila paintings. “Within a single state like Bihar, we have various rich artistic traditions like Tikuli art and Manjusha art, in addition to Mithila art,” said curator Vidisha Pandey. “However, many of these art forms remain relatively unknown to the wider public.”

The exhibits featured a diverse array of folk and tribal artworks, including the vibrant Mithila paintings from Bihar, intricately designed Kolam artworks from Tamil Nadu, the striking Warli tribal art from Maharashtra, and the mythological narratives of Kerala’s renowned mural art tradition , the therapeutic Mandala artforms among others.In addition to the exhibition, the “Swadesh” event included interactive workshops allowing visitors to learn traditional techniques directly from master artisans and sales of the art.

By – Vinod Kumar

Spl Correspondent (Dubai)