Under the latest and popular online series of Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya entitled ‘Exhibit of the Week’ the Gond Painting of the Community of Gond of Mandla Madhya Pradesh depicting the ritual of Chounsathi collected from 1999 was exhibited.
This 54th exhibition under the Exhibit of the Week was displayed in the audience as the 5th Exhibit of the month of May, 2021 through official website, Facebook, Instagram and twitter page of the IGRMS.
In this regard Praveen Kumar Mishra, Director, IGRMS said that initially this series will focus on the masterpieces from its collection which are considered as unique for their contribution to the cultural history of a particular ethnic group or area.
This painting illustrates the ritual scene of “Chounsathi Devi”, the mother goddess specially worshipped by the Tekam clan of Gond tribe. The deity is worshipped every year during Chaitra (March-April) Navratri for the well-being, prosperity and happiness.
During the worship they offer Hirnouti to the goddess after fulfilment of their wishes. Hirnouti, is a form of multi wicked lamp. It is shaped like a deer and wrapped by a snake. These iron lamps are made by the Agaria community which is considered to be one of the sub tribes of Gond community. This Painting is created on canvas by famous Gond artist Late Shri Jangarh Singh Shyam. He portrayed the deity at the centre with intricate details of goddess superscribed in two different looks. On both sides of the goddess he also depicted tridents in different sizes.