Young Adivasi Painter from Telangana Feted by President Murmu

Adilabad: Young adivasi painter Madavi Anand Rao from Busimetta village in Jainoor mandal, Komaram Bheem Asifabad district, was felicitated by President Droupadi Murmu for his Gond artwork.

Anand participated in a 13-day painting workshop at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he depicted the traditional ‘Gussadis’ adorned with peacock feather caps for Diwali. Artists attending the workshop stayed at Rashtrapati Bhavan under the ‘SRIJAN-2024’ Artist-in-Residency programme from October 21-29.

During the residency, artists created beautiful paintings using natural colours, showcasing art forms like Saura, Gond, Warli, Aipan, and Soharai.

Anand told Deccan Chronicle that he painted the Gussadi, viewed as an ‘Ethmasurpen,’ along with the traditional drum ‘Thudum,’ representing the Gussadi or Dandari festival celebrated by Adivasis during Diwali. He also painted ‘Elephant with Trees.’

President Droupadi Murmu, who visited the exhibition on October 29, said that the art reflects the deep connection between tribal people and nature. As a tribal herself, she urged people to support these artists by purchasing their works.

Senior Gond painter Madavi Rajeshwar commended Anand for his dedication, noting that reaching Rashtrapati Bhavan from the remote village of Busimetta is a significant achievement.