MŪL - The Origin exhibition at Spirit Connect blends the raw essence of Gond, Bhil, and Warli art with contemporary design to attract a modern global audience.

  • Showcase of 50 artworks by 12 artists from Gond, Bhil, Warli, and Naga tribes.
  • Integration of modern color palettes and compositions to appeal to the interior design market.
  • Strategic mentorship provided by faculty from NID and NIFT.

The city of Hyderabad is currently hosting a groundbreaking exhibition titled 'MŪL - The Origin' at Spirit Connect, located near Ramanaidu Studios in Film Nagar. This exhibition, organized by the Gondwana Art Project in collaboration with Art Connect, serves as a sophisticated intersection where ancestral tribal heritage meets modern aesthetic sensibilities.

According to Sundeep Bhandari, the founder of the Gondwana Art Project, there has been a noticeable surge in demand for 'contemporary tribal art' in Hyderabad since the pandemic. Bhandari noted that a certain 'fatigue factor' had set in regarding traditional folk art, creating a vacuum for innovation. The project aims to revitalize these forms without compromising their spiritual and cultural ethos.

Read Also:ART MUMBAI 2026: A Global Convergence of Modern and Contemporary Art

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this initiative represents a critical shift in the 'Craft-to-Commerce' pipeline. By introducing design interventions—such as replacing traditional red mud (geru) backgrounds in Warli art with deep indigo—the project transforms ethnographic artifacts into luxury interior design pieces. This not only increases the market value of the art but directly elevates the socio-economic status of the tribal artists.

"The intent is not to alter the ethos of an art form, but to look at compositions and softer color palettes to make the artworks appeal to the interior design market."

The project's operational model is equally innovative. To ensure artists remained connected to their roots, workshops were conducted in their native regions across Nagaland, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Mentorship was provided by experts from the National Institute of Design (NID) and the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), focusing on color mixing and compositional balance.

The Gondwana Art Project has already gained international traction, with exhibits at the New England Region Art Museum in Australia and prestigious venues like the Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai and Bikaner House in Delhi. The current Hyderabad showcase is particularly special as it includes not only paintings but also two unique sculptures from Nagaland.

Feature Traditional Tribal Art Contemporary (MŪL) Approach
Color Palette Earth tones (Geru, Cow dung) Soft, curated, and modern palettes
Primary Market Local fairs/Craft bazaars Global galleries/Interior design
Guidance Generational learning Academic design mentorship (NID/NIFT)
Did You Know?: Warli art traditionally uses a reddish-brown background made from cow dung and red mud, but the Gondwana project has experimented with indigo to create a striking new aesthetic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: When and where is the 'MŪL - The Origin' exhibition taking place?
The exhibition is on view from September 10 to 13 at Spirit Connect, Film Nagar, Hyderabad.

Q2: How does the Gondwana Art Project support tribal artists?
It provides design mentorship, teaches them to adapt to modern market tastes, and provides a digital platform to sell their work globally.