Swamp Deer With The Tiger Under One Tree

Kaushal Tekam

Born in the Gond-dominated village of Patangarh, Kaushal Prasad Tekam was surrounded by stories long before he learned to hold a brush. In his childhood, trees were not just trees, they were ancestral beings, guardians of the forest; birds were messengers, and animals were companions in both daily life and mythology. These impressions seeped deeply into him, and when he finally began painting, the imagery came naturally. As an artist Kaushal’s journey was shaped by guidance from Gond masters, including Anand Singh Shyam. He refined his technique, learning to weave the fine linework and dotted detailing that has become Gond’s signature. What sets Kaushal apart is his mastery of tonal contrast, particularly his use of layered blacks. By varying shade and density, he creates an almost sculptural depth, turning birds, fish, and trees into richly alive presences. His acclaimed work “A Collective of Birds” demonstrates this skill, an entire flock rising out of rhythmic patterns, simultaneously abstract and lifelike. Over the years, Kaushal’s paintings have travelled across India in exhibitions and art fairs. Each piece reflects not just his craft but his storytelling instinct — the forest as a world teeming with interconnected lives. His art is quiet but powerful, celebrating the Gond worldview where nature is divine, cyclical, and eternal.