Durga Bai Vyam

Place: Barbaspur

Born: 1973

Biography:

Durga Bai Vyam is an Indian artist born in 1973 in Barbaspur, a village in the Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh, India. She is one of the foremost female artists based in Bhopal working in the Gond tradition of Tribal Art. Most of Durga's work is rooted in her birthplace, and she has created paintings for several publications and exhibited her works widely.

Early Life and Career

Durga Bai Vyam was born into a family of artists and learned the art of digna from her mother at a young age. She began her creative journey in 1996 at an artist's camp organized by Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal. Her subjects are rooted in tribal folklore and mythology and are drawn mainly from the pantheon of the Gond Pradhan community and popular folklore.

Artistic Style and Themes

Durga Bai's artistic style is characterized by her use of vibrant colors and intricate patterns, which are typical of the Gond tradition. Her paintings often feature Ratmaimurkhuri, the guardian of the night, and other goddesses from tribal mythology. She also paints males gods like Bada Dev, the supreme god, and Chula Dev, who ensures that the household chulha (hearth) always burns. Some of her notable works include Gond Art: Ganesha, which is a stunning example of traditional Indian art. Her paintings are inspired by archetypal scenes of Gond Mythology, creating unbridled lyricism and audacious imagination.

Awards and Recognition

Durga Bai Vyam has received several awards and recognition for her contributions to the field of arts. Some of her notable awards include:

• 2004 - Handicraft Development Council
• 2006-2007 - Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts Scholarship
• 2009 - Rani Durgawati award for excellence in traditional painting
• Katha Chitrakala Runner's up Award, for her children's book, "Mai and her Friends"

has also been awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2022 for her contributions to the field of arts.

Exhibitions and Publications

Durga Bai's works have been exhibited widely in India and abroad. She has also illustrated several art books, including "The Night Life of Trees" and "One, Two, Tree!". Her graphic biography of B.R. Ambedkar, titled "Bhimayana: Experiences of Untouchability", was published by Navayana in 2011. For more information about Durga Bai Vyam and her works, visit the Wikioo.org website or check out her profile on Bada Dev. You can also explore her paintings on Wikioo.org/Art.nsf/O/A@D3C8XR and learn more about the National Gallery of Modern Art on Wikioo.org/Art.nsf/Art_EN?Open&Query=the+museum+national+gallery+of+modern+art,museum,national,gallery,modern,india&.