From Tradition to Transformation: Recontextualizing Gond Art in Sustainable Fashion Practices

Gond art, an indigenous tradition of Madhya Pradesh, India, has evolved from ritual wall paintings into distinctive visual language with growing relevance in contemporary fashion and textile design. This study examines the cultural significance, symbolic motifs, and potential for the culturally informed adaptation of Gond painting within sustainable fashion. A qualitative interpretive approach was adopted, combining analysis of published literature, visual examination of contemporary fashion collections incorporating Gond-inspired motifs, and semi-structured interviews with practicing Gond artists from Madhya Pradesh. The study emphasizes that understanding the philosophy, symbolism, and visual characteristics of Gond painting is essential before its integration into contemporary fashion design. The findings indicate that Gond painting offers significant potential for sustainable fashion because of its narrative symbolism, close association with nature, and suitability for handcrafted textile applications particularly hand painting, which preserves artistic authenticity and cultural identity. Ethical collaborations between designers and Gond artisans can strengthen artisan livelihoods, preserve indigenous knowledge and promote appreciation of culturally rooted fashion. However, challenges related to cultural appropriation, authorship, equitable recognition, and commercialization remain. The study concludes that successful integration of Gond art into fashion requires ethical practices, meaningful artisan participation, and preservation of the cultural integrity of this living artistic tradition.