We take much for granted,” shares Padmaja Srivastava, as she pauses during the conversation. The pause arrives during the author’s description of a Gond Pardhan tradition. “They sing a song to the Baiga community asking to borrow soil, and a song to the Dumar [wild fig] tree, to borrow branches before any wedding,” she observes. It is these stories, beliefs, myths, songs, and art that enrich the title, Chola Maati (Mapin) that will be released today as part of the exhibition, Chola Maati: Ballad of Bards.

Origins of an artist

Jangarh Singh Shyam. Pic courtesy/Wikimedia Commons, Sarmaya Arts Foundation, Mapin