Modern art with a tribal touch

Modern art with a tribal touch

Sepember 2024
Modern art  with a tribal  touch

Gautam Bharati and Avani Jain, based  
in Dungarpur, Rajasthan saw the  incredible ability and passion of tribals  for arts and decided to do something about it. 
They began a company called Hunar Tribes  with the aim to empower more individuals,  both economically and environmentally. They  design cafes, parks, and public areas that  are not only beautiful but also eco-friendly.  They create upcycled furniture and vibrant  wall murals to create functional spaces that  inspire and promote a harmonious relationship  between people and the planet. 

Both of them had left their previous jobs to focus  entirely on the Hunar Tribe, so they needed it to  be a reliable source of income, not just for the  youth but for themselves as well. “This created  a burden, as we were constantly searching for  new projects to keep the youth engaged and to  keep ourselves afloat. There were times when  we struggled to get them to return because they  couldn’t offer consistent work,” says Gautam. To overcome these challenges, they focused  on diversifying and expanding their range of  offerings. They moved beyond just furniture to  include tyre playgrounds, tyre pots, sculptures,  park designs, model school designs, Hunar  Camps, and much more. This diversification  helped them attract more projects and provided  continuous work for their team. 
The most special moments for them are those  where they see tangible growth and impactful  work coming together. One of their proudest  achievements has been upcycling 268,000 kgs of  tyres, 100,000 kgs of scrap iron, and over 5,000  plastic bottles. Knowing that their efforts have  had such a substantial environmental impact is  incredibly fulfilling. 
These milestones affirm that they are making a  meaningful contribution to society and nature,  which is immensely rewarding. For them,  Hunar Tribe is not just a venture; it’s a passion. 
Their hope for the future is multifaceted.  Firstly, they aspire to expand Hunar Tribe’s  presence nationwide and beyond, exporting  their products to inspire and reach a broader  audience. Concurrently, they envision  establishing Hunar Tribe models in villages  across India, particularly where opportunities  for youth are limited, thereby discovering  and nurturing creative talent throughout the  country. We wish them all the best in their  journey of empowering the youth and creating  a sustainable earth. 
- By Jamuna Rangachari