MP’s father-son duo take Gond art global:Paris exhibition sees their natural-color painting sell for ₹2 lakh, created using dyes from flowers and leaves

In a rare moment of global recognition for India’s tribal heritage, 35 paintings by Mayank Shyam—an acclaimed Gond artist from Pattanagarh village in Dindori district, Madhya Pradesh—were showcased at the prestigious Espace Cinco Gallery in Paris from October 18 to 31 this year. Most of his artworks were sold across India and France during the exhibition. One of them fetched nearly Rs 2 lakh, marking a significant achievement for the young artist. In a parallel milestone, a Japanese researcher named Kaori recently authored a book in Japanese on Mayank’s father, the late Jangarh Singh Shyam, who is celebrated as the pioneer of modern Gond art. The English translation of the book is expected soon. Remarkably, Mayank’s exhibition was held in the same city—Paris—where his father’s paintings were displayed 36 years ago. The story of a father-son duo who brought new recognition to MP’s art on the world stage is very interesting. Read in this report… Early inspiration and artistic foundations Speaking about his journey, Mayank recalls being deeply inspired by his father. I have been painting since childhood. I grew up watching my father create art. What I make is called Jangaran Kalam, also known as Gond painting. Initially, he painted with acrylic and oil colours. But everything changed in 2021. Turning to natural colours: A creative transformation Mayank decided to shift toward natural pigments, just like his ancestors. He began sourcing colours from the local environment: “Using natural colours made my art more meaningful and connected to my roots,” he says. Depicting MP’s tribal culture and stories Mayank’s artwork reflects the culture, myths, nature, deities, and stories of his tribal community. His paintings capture: This unique storytelling is what drew international attention. How his paintings reached Paris Mayank credits his friend Padmaja Srivastava, who works with a Paris-based cultural organisation. After seeing his work, she sent some of his paintings to a Paris art collective named Dupatta. They loved his style and contacted him in December 2024. They invited him to host a solo exhibition. “They were fascinated by my imagination and the use of natural colours,” says Mayank. The exhibition received overwhelming footfall—from children to elderly art lovers, all eager to see his work. Language barriers fade through art It was Mayank’s first long international flight and first visit to a foreign country. “The language, food, everything was different. But the people made me feel welcomed,” he recalls. “I was worried about speaking English, but I realised art speaks a universal language.” Paris offered new inspirations Mayank visited museums, including the one dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci. He also explored the city after the exhibition. “I was amazed by the colours of autumn leaves in Paris. I even brought some leaves back to India for inspiration.” During the exhibition, Padmaja Srivastava also launched her book “Chola Mati”, based on Padan village of Dindori. It features Mayank’s paintings and photographs by Komal Bedi. A legacy of art: The story of Jangarh Singh Shyam Mayank inherited his artistic talent from his father, Jangarh Singh Shyam, the founder of the modern Gond art movement. The Japanese researcher Kaori fell in love with Gond art during her visit to India. After seeing Jangarh’s paintings in Bhopal’s Tribal Museum, she contacted the Shyam family. “This family gave me so much love that I visit them every time I come to India,” she says. Jangarh’s deep bond with Japan Jangarh had a long-standing connection with Japan. His exhibitions were held there, and he visited the country twice. His affection for Japan was such that he even named his daughter Japan. Tragically, Jangarh died by suicide in Japan in 2001. The reason remains unknown, but he continues to hold an iconic place in the hearts of Japanese art lovers. His work has been exhibited in the U.S., France, Japan, and several other countries. An artistic legacy continues With Mayank emerging as one of the most globally recognised Gond artists of the new generation, the father–son duo’s legacy is now inspiring art lovers across continents. From tribal soil colours to the bright lights of Paris, their journey embodies the power of culture, roots, and artistic truth.