Women in Chhattisgarh giving fading traditional tattoo art a bold makeover

Context

Gondana art has been given a new life in by tribal women in Chhattisgarh

About Godana

• Godana is a form of tattooing popular in Northern and Central India.
• The practice of tattooing is based on religious beliefs, longing for compassion and human aspirations. 
• Each dot and each line has a significance. The patterns hold meaning like the karela channi, made entirely of dots, is meant to ward off the evil eye.
• Modernisation has influenced the Godna art and artists to a great extent. Tattooing has shifted from body to paper, cloth and canvas.
• Godana motifs are painted on cloth with thin brushes and acrylic colours mixed with “jadi-booti” (herbs) to ensure the ingredients stick.