What began as childhood sketches on the mud walls of her tribal home has blossomed into an internationally celebrated artistic journey. Durgabai Vyam, one of India’s foremost Gond artists, has taken the indigenous art form from the heart of rural Madhya Pradesh to the halls of global art galleries—and in 2022, she was rightfully honored with the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian awards, for her contribution to the field of art.
Born in the Pardhi tribal community in Dindori district, Durgabai was surrounded by nature, folklore, and oral traditions that would later become the soul of her artwork. At the age of just six, she began painting on the walls of her home, learning Gond motifs and techniques passed down through generations.
Unlike traditional schooling, her early education came from watching her mother and other village women create vibrant images of gods, animals, and spirits on walls during festivals and rituals. These visuals, etched into her memory, laid the foundation for what would become a pathbreaking career in tribal visual storytelling.
Durgabai’s big break came when she was discovered by noted Gond artist Jangarh Singh Shyam, the pioneer of the modern Gond art movement. Under his mentorship, she transitioned from walls to paper and canvas, beginning to evolve her signature style—bold lines, intricate patterns, and mythical narratives rendered with natural pigments and fine brushwork.
By her 20s, Durgabai’s work had already begun to receive national attention. Her paintings, inspired by Gond folklore, deities, animals, and everyday rural life, spoke a universal language of connection between human beings and nature.
Over the last two decades, Durgabai’s work has been featured in galleries and museums across India, France, the UK, and Japan. She has also co-authored several award-winning children’s books, most notably “The Night Life of Trees”, which received international acclaim for its storytelling and design. Published by Tara Books, the book is now considered a classic in the realm of tribal art and literature.
Despite her global recognition, Durgabai has always remained deeply connected to her roots. She continues to live and work in Bhopal with her husband Subhash Vyam, also a renowned artist, and together they’ve mentored many young tribal artists, keeping the Gond tradition alive and thriving.
In 2022, the Government of India awarded her the Padma Shri for her outstanding contribution to the arts, a moment Durgabai calls both “humbling and empowering.”
“Our stories are our strength,” she said during the award ceremony. “I never imagined my childhood drawings would one day travel the world. I only painted what I felt, what I saw, and what I remembered from our village.”
Her legacy is not only etched on canvas but also in the cultural preservation of Gond art. She is a powerful symbol of how indigenous knowledge systems and traditional art forms can achieve global recognition while remaining firmly rooted in their origin.
Today, Durgabai is committed to training young girls from tribal communities, helping them find their voice through art, just as she once did. Her story serves as an inspiration—not only to aspiring artists but to anyone who believes that talent, when nurtured with passion and purpose, can transcend all barriers.
From painting on mud walls to being celebrated on international platforms, Durgabai Vyam’s journey is a testament to the power of indigenous art, cultural pride, and the unyielding spirit of a woman who dared to dream.
