Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Padma Shri awardee and Bagia artist Jodhaiya Bai Baiga passed away on Sunday evening at her village Lodha in Umaria district. The 86-year-old artist had suffered paralysis on the right side of her body earlier in January and had been unwell since then.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has expressed grief at her demise. He said that the Jodhaiya Bai, the pride of Umaria district, contributed significantly to popularising Baiga painting in the country and abroad.
The CM said that the world of tribal painting has suffered an irreparable loss due to her demise. He prayed to Baba Mahakal to give peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear the sorrow.
She is survived by two sons and a daughter. Jodhaiya Bai used to earn money by selling compost, firewood and nuts from the forest. She was in her forties when her husband died and later she started painting.
Her artistic style has been compared to Gond artist Jangarh Singh Shyam. After painting on canvas and paper, she began using other media such as clay, metal and wood. Her grandson made masks which she painted.
She was inspired by local Baiga motifs such as the mahua tree. Her paintings have been exhibited in Bhopal, Delhi, Milan and Paris. In 2022, she received the Nari Shakti Puraskar in recognition of her achievements. Subsequently, she was awarded the Padma Shri in Arts in 2023.
