CHOLA MAATI
A visual and narrative journey into the world of the Pardhan Gond community of Pathangarh, Madhya Pradesh — the birthplace of Gond art. Through photographs, oral histories and traditional paintings, the book documents the rituals and ceremonies that shape life from birth to death. Folk songs of Pathangarh are embedded throughout the book via QR codes, bringing the living voice of the community directly to the reader. Rooted in memory, mythology, and lived experience, it is both an archive and a celebration of a community whose stories continue to be carried through art, music, and tradition.
Launched at Espace Cinko, Paris, Chola Maati brought these images and stories to an international audience for the first time. Published in English and French by Somaiya Vidyavihar University and Mapin Books, this 192-page hardcover is a careful act of witness — made over time and with trust, allowing ritual and intimacy to unfold rather than be staged.
Written by Padmaja Srivastava. Photographs by Komal Bedi Sohal. Paintings by Mayank Shyam. Book design by Komal Bedi Sohal.
Print length: 192 pages | Language: English & French | Dimensions: 36 x 25 x 3.5 cm
Hardcover available now on Amazon India and Mapinpub.com.
