Nankusia Shyam: Voice of Memory in Gond Art

Nankusia Shyam (b. 1972, Sonpuri, Madhya Pradesh) is a prominent Gond artist who carries forward the legacy of Jangarh Kalam, a contemporary style of Gond art pioneered by her late husband, Jangarh Singh Shyam. Initially hesitant to paint, Nankusia began by coloring her husband’s drawings, eventually developing her own distinctive voice. Her vibrant works often depict animals and nature, reflecting her rural upbringing. She has exhibited her art internationally in countries such as Japan, France, Sri Lanka, and the UAE. In 2002, she received a state-level award from the Madhya Pradesh Hasta Shilpa Vikas Nigam.