Bhajju Shyam Biography 
Bhajju Shyam is an Indian Gond artist who received international recognition for his book The London Jungle Book released in 2004. This book was later translated to four foreign languages and widely recognized. This acclaimed artist and illustrator was honoured with Padma Shri in 2017 by government of India. He has exhibited his paintings in the Netherlands, Germany, England, and Italy. His second book, The Life of Trees Night (2006) was awarded the 2008 Bologna Children's Book Fair.
Bhajju Shyam, who hails from Madhya Pradesh, was born in a very poor tribal family. He was born in the village of Pattangad in Dindori district. His parents are farmers, and they grow rice and wheat. The village had a school with good facilities, just 4 kms away. During weddings and Gond festivals, as a part of tradition, their community used to paint walls and decorate them. They also worshipped trees, which form the basics of their art. While at school he also helped his parents at farm. He also did odd jobs to support his family, till his uncle took him to the outer world and Bhajju also saw it as an opportunity to earn more money.
It was his uncle Jangad Shyam who changed his life who took their art from the walls and floors to the canvas. He travelled to Paris, London, and Japan on invitation from museums and art galleries to paint, and also helped him to draw. That’s how he started as an artist. He is married now and has two teenager kids. His first book, The London Jungle Book, is about his journey to London to paint the walls of a restaurant, and it changed his life forever. Through this book, he gave new dimensions to Gond art, and gave it a global status.
Published: February 07, 2019
Updated: February 07, 2019
