The Ketha Tree and the Tortoise

From the lesser-known Baiga community of Madhya Pradesh comes Hema Baiga, one of the rare practicing voices preserving the fragile art of Baiga painting. Born into a family that lived close to the forests, Hema grew up deeply immersed in the rhythms of nature, seasonal festivals, and rituals that defined Baiga culture. While Baiga traditions have historically been preserved through oral storytelling, Hema found her canvas to be a medium to record and express these sacred memories. Her paintings are characterized by earthy motifs, sacred animals, and forest deities, all depicted with an immediacy that feels raw and authentic. Unlike Gond or Warli, Baiga painting remains vastly undocumented, making Hema’s work even more significant as it safeguards a cultural practice at risk of being forgotten. Over the years, she has participated in national exhibitions, taking Baiga art beyond her community for the first time. Through her work, she not only creates visually striking paintings but also documents the lived experiences, rituals, and spirituality of her people.