Chola Maati by Mapin Publishing

cholamaati

PARDHAN

GOND

RITUALS

FROM BIRTH TO DEATH

KOMAL BEDI SOHAL

PADMAJA SRIVASTAVA

MAYANK SINGH SHYAM

TRIBAL HERITAGE OF INDIA

chola maati

PARDHAN GOND RITUALS FROM BIRTH TO DEATH

TEXT BY PADMAJA SRIVASTAVA

ART BY MAYANK SINGH SHYAM

PHOTOGRAPHS BY KOMAL BEDI SOHAL

in association with

before you turn the page

This book invites you on a journey through the life cycle of the Pardhan community, tracing their rituals and beliefs from birth to death. Each moment is brought to life through the paintings of Mayank Singh Shyam, the photography of Komal Bedi Sohal, and the insightful narrative written by Padmaja Srivastava.

To deepen your experience, we’ve included traditional songs—oral legacies passed down through generations. These are accessible through QR codes embedded throughout the book. Simply scan and listen as you read, allowing the music to infuse each chapter with its cultural and emotional resonance.

THIS IS NOT JUST A BOOK TO BE READ. IT'S A JOURNEY TO LISTEN TO, TO SEE AND TO FEEL—WITH YOUR EYES, EARS AND HEART.

contents

14–17 foreword

18–19 preface

24–35 introduction

36–49 badadev–the divine emergence

50–57 dharti ki utpatti–genesis of the earth

58–65 the pardhan gond–musical storytellers

66–85 janam–sacred beginnings

86–101 badhat–adolescence

102–129 shaadi–the symphony of marriage

130–139 khushali–domestic prosperity

140–157 tyohar–celebrations & festivals

158–167 mrutyu–death

168–183 tor surta ma–homage to the departed

184–185 afterword

190–191 glossary of words

CHOLA MAATI

SCAN TO HEAR THE SONG

This song contemplates the ephemeral nature of human existence. Though we seek permanence, our bodies, made of earth and water, are destined to dissolve back into these elements. The lyrics remind us that we are not separate from nature but part of its endless cycle of transformation.

acknowledgements

This book would not have been possible without the generous support and hospitality of the people of Patangarh. We are deeply indebted to the villagers for opening their hearts and homes to us, sharing not only their stories and traditions but also their warmth. They welcomed us with unwavering kindness and trust, allowing us to become a part of their lives, even if only for a short while.

We would like to thank all the families who permitted us to document their lives through photographs, preserving these precious moments for posterity. Their openness brought authenticity and depth to our work, enabling us to convey the beauty and essence of their community.

A special mention goes to Bala Mama, Bharat Bhaiya, Phagni Bai and Jagdish Yadav. Bala Mama's profound knowledge of rituals and traditions and Bharat Bhaiya's enthusiasm as a guide, were instrumental in shaping this book. Their dedication and passion for preserving the cultural heritage of the Pardhan Gonds have been a constant source of inspiration.

We are especially indebted to Monsieur Christian Journet and Association Duppata, whose steadfast support has been fundamental to this project.

We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to Shri Ajay Gupta, Chief Managing Director of M/s Macawber Beekay Pvt. Ltd., for generously funding our research through their CSR initiative. We also thank The Raza Foundation, New Delhi, for their thoughtful contribution to this work. Our sincere thanks to Yann Clinchard for his dedicated translation of this book into French. We express our heartfelt appreciation to our editors, Shailaja Srinivasan, Sonali Singh and Siddhant Srivastava. We would also like to thank Jorge DelgadoUreña, Christelle Enquist from The Raw Society, and Robert Shaw for their guidance. And to everyone who contributed to this journey, whether through sharing mahua (local brew), telling stories, or singing songs. Every individual played a part in bringing together the vibrant landscape of the Pardhan Gond life.

WITH HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO SOMAIYA VIDYAVIHAR UNIVERSITY, WHOSE CONTRIBUTION WAS INSTRUMENTAL TO THE MAKING OF THIS BOOK.

jangarh singh shyam

foreword paul abraham bard of small things

WHO KEEPS THE STORIES OF A TRIBE, KEEPS ITS SOUL

The Pardhan Gonds are the archivists of their community. It is their sacred charge to preserve the songs, origin myths and ancestral memories of the ancient Gond tribe in central India. For generations, they have carried forward the oral traditions that bind their people to the land and to each other. It was a travelling bard from a village here who first introduced the world to the electric world of Gond art. Decades later, his son returns through his art to where it began. Back to the land and its soil.

Where Jangarh brilliantly gave expression to the deities and mythology of the Pardhan Gonds on canvas, Mayank approaches the same subjects with the enquiring spirit of a poet-philosopher. His art is filled with affection for his people, the Gonds, so evident in the pages of this book. With great tenderness, he chronicles the ebbs and flows of daily life in Patangarh. In the colours of the soil, he paints the little creatures who live so close to it. Earthworms and crabs, snails and chickens.

The Gond perspective on life, reflected in the tribe's legends, is shaped by the abundances of the Narmada valley. The heroes of its epics are often not mystical, otherworldly beings, but the commonplace wonders of its terrain, like the saja tree, the mahua flower, clay from the river’s basin. By enshrining their gratitude for nature's munificence in songs and fables, the Gonds live the words of poet Alice Walker: "This could be our revolution: to love what is plentiful as much as what is scarce."

And to honour that most precious of our scarcities–our time here on earth—the Gond people turn once again to the soil. They speak of the mortal body as 'Maati ka Chola', a robe of clay that we must all surrender at the end of our journey. Walking through the village Patangarh, we see that this is not merely a metaphor but an embodied truth. People mark the big occasions of life–birth, marriage,

harvests, festivals—by painting on the mud walls of their homes, only to wipe it all away for the next big event. No matter how brilliant the colours or the hand that wields it, neither leaves a permanent mark. There's a quiet acknowledgment here that the beauty of life lies precisely in its transience.

What you will discover in these pages is a three-part meditation on this worldview, brought to life through a collaboration between author, artist and photographer. Through Padmaja's words, you will encounter the legends that are invoked even today to welcome babies into the tribe, and guide them through life's milestones. Weaving together anthropology, history and reportage, her narrative creates a layered portrait of the Gond community in Patangarh. Using pigments sourced at the site, Mayank's paintings translate the essence of Gond philosophy into visual poems deeply rooted in this terrain. Komal’s stirring images remind us that for millions of Indians, these aren't abstract concepts, but simply a way of life. Her photographs light up the web of connections—natural, spiritual, communal—within which Gond people define their place in the world.

Like all memorable stories, this one too is punctuated with song. The thoughtfully curated playlist adds a warm, textured dimension to the experience of Chola Maati Ultimately, this is a book that invites you to consider what it would mean to wear our Maati ka Chola, our earthen cloak, lightly. To hold everything we treasure in open palms, knowing they’re ours only for a moment. But to preserve them as best we can, for the little hands that await them. And when it’s our time, to return our robe of clay back to the earth, serene in the knowledge that we lay the ground for something beautiful to bloom once again.

PAUL ABRAHAM

ART PATRON, COLLECTOR, HISTORY BUFF AND FOUNDER OF SARMAYA ARTS FOUNDATION

the photographer’s gaze vineet vohra

SHOOT FROM YOUR HEART AND SHAPE IT BY PERSPECTIVE, INTUITION AND EMOTION

In this surreal book, you’ll find Komal’s voice, not only transforming her lens into a powerful tool of expression, but also expressing a part of her journey being an artist.

As her mentor, I’ve watched her grow from a curious student into an intellectual storyteller. Her work simply moves beyond technique, speaking with honesty and heart. Each page reveals something personal yet universally a reflection of identity, curiosity and creativity.

This is more than just images put together, it is the first ray of a journey unfolding, and I am honoured to walk beside it, even for a moment, in its quiet rising.

It’s the beginning of a transformative journey, and I’m delighted to share it with you.

VINEET VOHRA PHOTOGRAPHER, LEICA M AMBASSADOR AND LOBA NOMINATOR

badadev the divine emergence

↑ Lotus leaves symbolize the eternal womb, while swimming fish represent the amniotic fluid.

↑

The ocean takes the form of a fish. The lotus leaves (kurai paan) are depicted as hands cradling a water droplet which is shaped as a fish. This fish symbolizes a pregnant mother bringing new life into the world, embodying the spirit of Badadev.

The Pardhan Gond community regards water as the essence of life. Even the birth of a foetus occurs within this sacred element. Badadev, their supreme deity, exemplifies this. His birth, a graceful emergence from a single drop of pure water onto a lotus leaf known as kurai paan, symbolizes the community’s deep veneration for water.

He is depicted with five heads, four arms and a turban adorning his head, wielding a spear in his right hand.

dharti ki utpatti genesis

of the earth

↑ A depiction of Badadev's creation. A story through three elemental beings: the crow; Kakramal Chattri, the crab—bridging water and land; and Kichakmal, the earthworm—guarding soil. Their portrayal symbolizes the divine collaboration that birthed the Pardhan Gond world.

shaadi the symphony of marriage

↑ Rough rice grains portrayed as a pair of fish, male and female, in water.

death mrutyu

→ Before the vulture can guide souls to the afterlife, it must first consume both flesh and water. In this depiction, the vulture feeds on a deer's carcass, while fish symbolize the sacred water it must drink.

Padmaja's journey in the world of art and culture began in Pune, India, where she completed her Bachelor of Architecture at Pune University. After relocating to Bhopal in 1995, she established her architectural practice alongside her husband. Together, they embarked on designing wilderness lodges in proximity to prominent tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh. It was during this creative process that Padmaja encountered numerous folk artists and artisans, which ignited her passion for championing their cause and becoming a dedicated advocate for the tribes of India, particularly the Pardhan Gonds of central India. Since

Mayank is the son of the celebrated artist Jangarh Singh Shyam. Jangarh has been his mentor and guide, instilling in him a deep understanding of the essence of art. He has inherited from his father the belief that authentic art is the embodiment of one’s innermost feelings, thoughts and imaginings. From the outset, black and white tones have held a special allure for Mayank Singh Shyam. He finds great satisfaction in blending the inherent vibrancy of colours into shades of black.

Mayank’s work is rich with symbolism, where elements of nature hold profound significance. In his art, fish often

author: padmaja srivastava

then, she has spent considerable time in their villages. Her fascination with the rich traditions and practices of the Gond community has inspired her to explore their cultural heritage, from birth to death. Through careful study and storytelling, Padmaja aims to preserve and share the vibrant way of life of the Pardhan Gond.

Acting as a vital link, she has been the bridge for projects between the artists and prestigious organizations like Samsung, Hyundai and Pernod Ricard. She is also an active member of a French NGO, Association Duppata, that promotes Indian tribal art in France.

painter: mayank singh shyam

symbolize water, the ocean and rivers. Trees serve as an analogy for Mother Earth, representing strength, grounding, and the interconnectedness of all living things. Similarly, birds depict the sky, evoking freedom and the boundless expanse of the heavens.

Through these rich representations, Mayank’s art reflects not only his deep connection to nature but also his respect and appreciation for his tribal heritage, infusing each painting with layers of meaning and significance.

Komal Bedi Sohal is an internationally-acclaimed creative director, designer, and photographer whose work bridges storytelling and visual artistry. With over three decades of experience in advertising, including winning multiple Cannes Lions and serving on the Cannes Lions Jury, she brings a sharp eye for narrative, detail, and composition to her photographic practice.

Now based in Gurgaon, India, Komal focuses on capturing candid, emotionally resonant moments from everyday life. Her photography is rooted in documentary

photographer & book designer: komal bedi sohal

realism and shaped by an artist’s sensitivity: it invites viewers to pause, reflect, and connect with the human experience.

Komal’s photography has earned recognition on both national and international platforms. In 2024, she was selected for the prestigious La Vie Un Bleu International Photography Residency in Nice, France. Her photographs have been exhibited in solo, and group shows across New York, Paris, London, Nice, Venice, Victoria, and across key cities in India.

A NOTE OF THANKS

To the people of Patangarh

Thank you for opening your homes and hearts to me. This work would not have been possible without your warmth, generosity and trust. You welcomed me not just as a photographer, but as a friend, allowing me to witness your lives, your stories, your celebrations and silences.

To those who guided me through unfamiliar paths, translated unspoken truths, and patiently shared your knowledge, I am deeply grateful.

Your spirit, resilience, and beauty live in every image. This book is not just about you; it is because of you.

With respect and gratitude, Komal Bedi Sohal

First published in India in 2025 by Mapin Publishing 706 Kaivanna, Panchvati, Ellisbridge Ahmedabad 380006 INDIA

T: +91 79 40 228 228 | E: mapin@mapinpub.com www.mapinpub.com in association with Somaiya Vidyavihar University Vidyanagar, Vidya Vihar East, Vidyavihar, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400077 www.somaiya.edu/en/

All rights reserved under international copyright conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any other information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

The moral rights of Padmaja Srivastava as the author and Mayank Singh Shyam, Komal Bedi Sohal as contributors are asserted.

ISBN (English): 978-93-94501-53-9

ISBN (French): 978-93-94501-58-4

Design: Komal Bedi Sohal

Proofreading: Ashwati Franklin / Mapin Editorial

Editorial support: Neha Manke / Mapin Editorial

Production: Gopal Limbad / Mapin Design Studio

Printed in India

ART

tribal heritage of india Chola Maati

Pardhan Gond Rituals from Birth to Death

Padmaja Srivastava, Mayank Singh Shyam and Komal Bedi Sohal

192 pages, 135 photographs and 33 illustrations

9 x 13” (228.6 x 330 mm), HC-PLC

ISBN: 978-93-94501-53-9 (English)

₹3950 | $70 | £50

ISBN: 978-93-94501-58-4 (French)

2025 • World rights

THE SOUL OF A PEOPLE SINGS THROUGH BRUSH, LENS, WORD AND SONG.

ISBN 978-93-94501-53-9 ₹3950 | $70 | £50