The Mighty Lion
Suresh Dhurve
Every artist gets their inspiration from a source, for Suresh Kumar Dhurve, birds are more than subjects, they are memory, rhythm, and identity. Growing up in Patangarh - a central point of Gold culture, he recalls long afternoons spent identifying birds by their calls, tracking their flights across the horizon, and listening to village elders tell stories of how certain species were tied to gods and ancestors. These impressions never left him. When Jangarh Singh Shyam, the great innovator of Gond art encouraged him to paint, it was birds that came first to Suresh’s canvases, and they have remained there ever since. His early works were full of vivid colour, the birds painted against Gond’s characteristic patterned backgrounds. But as his style evolved, Suresh began stripping his palette down, experimenting with monochromes. In his black-and-white works, birds emerge in quiet elegance, their wings etched in rhythmic detailing, their forms simultaneously fragile and strong. It was this distinctive language that earned him a solo exhibition at Bharat Bhavan in 2007, featuring 35 works that confirmed his standing as a leading Gond voice. Since then, Suresh’s art has travelled widely, from Indian galleries to international platforms like the National Gallery of Canada. Yet his themes remain constant: flocks in flight, birds in nesting clusters, divine rhythms woven into avian form. His work is both deeply personal, rooted in his own memories of growing up, the universe around him and the Gond belief of being connected to nature.
Description
Suresh Dhurve’s Gond painting is a vivid blend of imagination and nature, capturing a powerful yet harmonious vision. At the centre, a majestic lion emerges gracefully from flowing waters, its vibrant form is detailed with fine lines, standing in striking contrast to the deep blue background that evokes a serene aquatic world. Fish swim through the current, adding gentle movement to the scene. With only the lion’s face, forelegs, and part of its body visible from a frontal angle, the composition invites focus on expression and form. A true showcase of Gond artistry, this piece radiates strength, symbolism, and storytelling. The artist has wonderfully rendered the lion in vibrant hues of orange with rhythmic fine lines that add depth and motion to this composition.
Artist Suresh Dhurve is widely known for keeping alive the rich legacy of Gond art through his illustrated works of tribal folklore. This vibrant composition depicts the use of signature dots, lines, and the symbolic style of the Gond tradition.
Why does this painting stand out?
Authentic Tribal Painting – Handcrafted by Suresh Dhurve, a respected name in contemporary Gond art.
Reveals cultural wisdom through imagery - It depicts the relation of the gond tribe with nature and their respect towards it, honoured through visual storytelling.
Perfect to enhance the look of any desired spaces or interiors like offices, studios, apartments, villas or galleries.
Dynamic composition that reflects the majestic and rich posture of the lion, this painting adds a bold statement to any walls or spaces when placed. Bring home the power and symbolism captured in every stroke. Add to your Indian art collection now!
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Suresh Dhurve
Gond artist || Inspired by Nature || Torch bearer of art
Unique Practice
Masterful focus on birds as symbols of memory and continuity