The Living Bond
Rameshwar Dhruve paints the monsoon before it arrives. A mother barasingha (swamp deer) nursing her fawn beneath an amla (Indian gooseberry) tree, its branches filled with pied cuckoos — birds the Baiga tribe call Gharsinin Didi, whose changing voice tells the villages that rains are coming. Acrylic on canvas, 36×24
£195.00
The barasingha is tied to the monsoon among the Gond and Baiga tribes of central India — its call shifts as the season turns, signalling villages to prepare. The number of fawns with the mother is read as an indicator of how many months the monsoon will last. The birds in the amla tree are pied cuckoos and Asian koels, known locally as Gharsinin Didi — literally the ones who tell you to shore up your home because the rains are on the way.
The tree is where the craftsmanship sits. The branches are zebra-striped in black and white, each orange leaf filled with fine pen lines that read as solid colour from a distance but reveal their linework up close. The fern-like leaves along the canopy edges are painted by brush — the consistency across dozens of repetitions is what sets this piece apart.
The mother and fawn below are bold, saturated colour — classic Gond pattern work in blue, green, yellow, and pink. The contrast between the fine, intricate upper canvas and the bold lower canvas is deliberate: two different approaches in one painting.
| Art form: |
Gond |
|---|---|
| Medium: |
Acrylic and ink on canvas |
| Canvas size: |
36 × 24 inches |
| Artist: |
Rameshwar Dhruve |
| Origin: |
Madhya Pradesh, India |
| Care: |
Keep away from direct sunlight and moisture. Glass framing is recommended to protect the detailing and extend the life of the piece |
- Is this an original artwork?
Yes — hand-painted original, signed by the artist. Not a print or reproduction. - Will my painting look exactly like the photo?
Same composition and style, but minor variations in detail and colour are what make each piece a one-off. - Can I commission a custom piece?
We can get you a custom piece.
