Bhil Painting: An Art of Storytelling

Art is a common thread that ties us all together. No matter what era it may be, art has always been a moment of self-expression and freedom.

Whether it is the ancient cave paintings or the 1960-70 popular graffiti wall murals, storytelling through art can be found everywhere. While discussing storytelling through art, we can’t miss discussing the iconic tribal art of Bhil painting.

Let’s unveil everything you need to know about tribal art that has made heads turn.

Who Are the Bhil Tribe?

The Bhil are the largest tribe in India, originating from central India—from states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. It is rumoured that Bhil existed before prehistoric times.

The popular Bhil tribe has been mentioned in multiple Hindu legends, like the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and more. But what made them so popular over the years was their Bhil painting, which has been practised for centuries.

Image Credit: Wikipedia

Fun fact: A Bhil hunter mistakenly shot an arrow at Krishna’s foot.

What is Bhil Painting?

It is an art of storytelling in vibrant shades that majorly depicts the tribe’s way of communicating with the world around them. The Bhil painting is an integral part of the tribe’s day-to-day life.

Whether it be any small to major event, it became a medium to store data of all time. It is an art tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation by mothers. Adding more to this, it is a primary segment in Bhil rituals.

Because of its unique features, it has made it to multiple museums like Tribal Culture Museum, Walters Art Museum and Met Museum.

Fun fact: Historically, Bhils were known as expert hunters and archers, a skill that has been part of their identity for centuries.

How to Spot a Bhil Painting?

Amongst the array of Indian architecture, Bhil painting has its one-of-a-kind visual appeal.

Below are the visual features of Bhil paintings:

1. Dotted patterns:

It is a pattern that makes Bhil’s painting distinctive from others. It is said to be imitating raindrops, depicting an excellent harvest. They can be majorly found uniformly, attempting to create rhythm. Some people even say that dots are not just patterns but sacred interpretations of life.

2. Detailed designs and symbolicic motifs:

Bhil paintings are closely related to rituals, so the same can be found in the paintings.

3. Bright colours:

Blue, red, yellow and green are the primary colours that are predominantly used.

4. Common themes:

The Bhil lifestyle is closely associated with wildlife and ceremonial events; that’s why the common themes are daily lifestyle, wildlife and ritualistic themes.

How Are Bhil Paintings Made?

Reading through the rich history of Bhil paintings must have surely made you curious about how Bhil paintings are made!

Let’s begin from the start:

➔ Originally, Bhil paintings were made on walls, but as time went by, they slowly started to be made on handmade paper or canvas.

➔ The natural shades of the colour palette are made from natural materials like earth oxides (ochre, sienna, umber) and plant extracts (indigo, turmeric, vermillion).

➔ Mineral-based colours are also used to bring the magical painting to life.

➔ Other materials used to create the art are twigs, brushes, or even using fingers to paint.

➔ Colours are mixed with adhesive for better results.

➔ Moving on to the very first step, the process begins by sketching using a twig or a brush.

➔ Then a base layer is applied, similar to the earthy tones.

➔ In this step, motifs are added. It could be geometric, symbols or undefined designs created.

➔ Gradually it starts to depict scenes of rituals, the common lifestyle of the Bhil tribe, figurines or nature-inspired elements.

➔ Lastly, Bhil paintings are completed with fine designs and textures.

➔ Before completion, it is reviewed once to avoid any mistakes.

The Story Behind the Dots in Bhil Painting

If we could niche it down to only one factor that made Bhil painting different from others, it’s the dots that make them stand out even more. Apart from its intriguing appearance, it holds deep cultural significance.

It’s not just a pattern but a connection to their Bhil community:

Raindrops: The dots symbolise raindrops which are a token of prosperity, fertility, and abundance.

Cosmic connection: It also displays the connection between us as individuals with the universe.

Ancestor’s connection: Dots represent asking ancestors for approval and protection.

Signature style: In the Bhil tribal community, every Bhil artist has a unique dotted signature.

Image Credit: Bhil Art

Renowned Artists of Bhil Painting

While experiencing the authenticity of the Bhil community and its transcending painting style, we have to talk about the influential artists of the Bhil tribe. Multiple artists from the Bhil tribe have made a prominent influence in the Indian artistic heritage.

Below are some of the many artists who have made plenty of contributions to the Bhil painting:

Sher Singh: He was born in Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh. He has done multiple exhibitions and workshops around the country. Instead of sticking to the conventional depictions, he goes ahead and searches for inspiration in daily life.

Bhuri Bai: Her otherworldly contribution has made an impact in museums around the world. She became the first woman in her tribe to paint Bhil paintings on canvas and paper. She was honored with the prestigious Padma Shri award in recognition of her immense contributions.

Images Credits: Google Images

Why are Bhil Paintings Considered So Spiritual?

There are many tribal folktales around Bhil paintings‘s spiritual bliss; have a glimpse at some of the popular tales-

Goddess Parvati:

It is said that for many years, the Bhil tribe has been living with nature in harmony. On one auspicious day, Goddess Parvati descended on earth with Lord Shiva to bless the people of the Bhil tribe. Fascinated by their rich stories and ethereal connection with nature, she bestowed the tribe with artistic skills. Many people also say that Goddess Parvati herself drew their vibrant story on the wall and hence began the spiritual art practice of the Bhil paintings.

The Goddess of Colours:

Many also believe that the goddess of colours, Shri Devi, blessed the people of the Bhil tribe with a vibrant colour palette and artistic expressions.

The Brush of the Storyteller:

Once upon a time, there was a popular Bhil storyteller named Raja Bhil. He had received a magical brush from the god that gave life to eternal art pieces.

Concluding everything that has to be stated so far, Bhil painting has always been the heart of storytelling through art. Bhil painting is the traditional way of capturing life through art.