The Godna Project
Artists from Chhattisgarh travelled to Delhi to be part of this exhibition in a manner of ensuring their traditional art form survives as it tells an integral story about their history.
There are various styles associated with Godna, the Ojha artist use symbols that represent forces of nature, such as the sun, peacocks, birds and trees.
On the other hand Godna artists from Bastar focus on full body coverage.
Preservation
The godna culture is on the decline not only due to the lack of awareness among individuals but also because of the market structures that favour the commercialization of all art forms. The intention remains to garner maximum profits by selling maximum products/services. This requires producing more in less time; hence machines and technological equipment are used, and customers are charged high prices. The reach and capacity of commercialized markets drive indigenous and traditional products and arts to the margins, rendering them invisible. Hence, they disappear over time. Conserving the godna culture is not only important from the lens of identity, but also from the perspective of nature. In the entire process of godna, nature-friendly items are used like sticks, kajals, tree saps, etc; unlike synthetic colours, pigments, plastics and are used by the commercialized markets of tattoing.
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