INTEGRATING TRIBAL VISUAL LANGUAGES INTO CONTEMPORARY PUBLIC ART PRACTICES: CULTURAL IDENTITY, URBAN SPACE, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN INDIA

Abstract [English]

The modern practice of using indigenous/ tribal visual traditions in the contemporary practices of the public arts has become a noteworthy trend in urban India. Cultural identity, increasing public involvement, and spreading social awareness: as Indian cities are fast changing to a more modern form, public art has grown to be an important tool in preserving the culture and promoting greater involvement of the population. Tribal visual languages, which include Gond, Warli, Bhil, and Sohrai art, have shifted off the religious and societal applications and practice to modern urban displays, murals, immersion-based exhibitions and participation engaged public arts initiatives. The paper will look at the contextualization of tribal visual languages in the contemporary practices of public arts in India and will also be used to ascertain how such practices have impacted on the formation of an urban culture and community connection. The research employs qualitative and analytical research methodologies to examine the chosen case studies based on Gond-inspired public installations, ST +ART India Foundation projects, Bharat Bhavan projects, and urban mural projects. The study postulates that the tribal visual languages do not just add aesthetic quality but also ecological awareness, involvement of people and continuation of cultural life into urban spaces. At the same time, the paper is a critical analysis of challenges of commercialization, cultural appropriation, institutional mediation, and sustainability relating to the integration of aboriginal aesthetics into the field of contemporary public art. The analysis summarizes that the moral and cooperative fusion of the visual culture of the tribes in the art galleries to the general audiences can help formulate culturally sensitive urban places and at the same time conserve the traditional knowledge systems in modern India.
Research questions: Which visual elements constitute tribal visual language? What is the purpose of employing tribal visual language in public art? How does tribal visual language help build urban identity? How does tribal visual language assist in engaging the community? What are some examples of tribal visual language in contemporary Indian art?