MP Govt Raising Rs-8 Crore Museum In Gond Art Legend's Memory In Bhopal

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Jangarh Singh Shyam Gond Kala Kendra is coming up in Patangarh, a native village of legendary Gond artist Jangarh Singh Shyam (1962-2001) in Dindori district. It will be a museum, which will tell the story of his life and display his works.

The Kala Kendra being built on two-acre land will have two galleries, an open-air auditorium, dormitories for visiting artists and researchers and a canteen. Built by state culture department, the museum will cost Rs 8 crore.

About 80 tribal artists, mainly Gonds, are working there. Of them 50 are from Patangarh and rest are from the villages around. One gallery of Kala Kendra will showcase the life and works of Jangarh whereas the other will display artworks by other Gond artists. It will also have a water body and canteen where tribal food would be served. 

One gallery will showcase life and works of Jangarh whereas the other will display artworks by other Gond artists. Bhaskar Parkhe who is overseeing the project said work began in August last year. “We hope to complete it by January 2026,” he added. Jangarh Singh Shyam was the first Gond artist to bring his imagination to life on paper and canvas.

He blazed a totally new trail and was a brilliant star on the art firmament of India and the world. He pioneered a new school of Indian art which is named as Jangarh Kalam. Within a span of a few years, the young Gond artist from Patangarh had a meteoric rise with his paintings winning national and international acclaim. One of his works titled Landscape with Spider was auctioned by Sotheby's for a whopping sum of $31,250.

‘My father deserves Padma Vibhushan’

My father was a trailblazer who had crafted a new genre of Indian art. There was nothing like Gond painting before him. He was a pioneer who has turned Patangarh into a village of artists. It is good that state government is building a museum in his memory. I think he deserves Padma Vibhushan. 

-Mayank Shyam, artist & Jangarh’s son