Gond paintings are a form of painting from folk and tribal art that is practiced by one of the largest tribes in India with whom it shares its name. While Gond paintings are considered to be from predominantly from Madhya Pradesh, it is also quite common in some part of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.

The work of Gond artists is rooted in their folk tales and culture, and thus story-telling is a strong element of every painting. The Gond, are the largest Adivasi Community in India. They are Dravidian and their origin can be traced to the pre-Aryan era. Mahua flowers, fruits, seeds, and leaves are used for many purposes by the Gond tribe. Modern design such as airplanes, bicycles, cars, technology, etc. Myths, legends, and aspects of the daily life of Gond people. Nature is also a dominant theme as Gonds inhabited forests for centuries.

Traditionally, the Gond paintings were done on mud walls with colours extracted from natural materials like soil, charcoal, cow dung and leaves. The designs are based on the rituals and traditions practiced by the community.

Jangarh Singh Shyam (1962–2001) was a pioneering contemporary Indian artist credited with being the creator of a new school of Indian art called Jangarh Kalam. His work has been exhibited widely the world over including Bhopal, Delhi, Tokyo and New York. Jangarh had also painted the interiors of the Legislative Assembly of Madhya Pradesh, the Vidhan Bhavan, and the dome of Bhopal’s Bharat Bhavan—one of the most prestigious museums of tribal and contemporary Indian art. He was among the first Gond artists to use paper and canvas for his paintings, thereby inaugurating what is now known as Jangarh Kalam.

India’s Gond tribe is famous for its vibrant artworks. Initially, the art form was confined to decorating their homes, and unknown to outsiders. However, four decades later, these art forms are exhibited in galleries worldwide. The paints are typically derived from natural surrounding objects, such as colored soil, charcoal, mud, plant sap, leaves, flowers, and even cow dung. However, now due to the scarcity of natural colors, the artists have begun to use canvas and poster colors to create these art forms.

Each Gond painting is a masterpiece, and is unique in its own. Blended with mystery, pattern, blend of colours and humor, these art pieces depict a modern psyche.