Bhuri Bai is a pioneering Bhil artist from Pitol village in Madhya Pradesh and one of the most celebrated figures in Indian tribal art. She was the first woman from her community to translate Bhil wall-painting traditions onto paper and canvas, a transformative step that brought this indigenous visual language into contemporary art spaces and gave it national and global visibility.

Drawing deeply from mythology, rural life, and the intimate relationship between humans and animals, Bhuri Bai’s works reflect lived experience and cultural memory. Over time, her practice evolved to incorporate modern motifs such as airplanes and mobile phones, seamlessly blending tradition with the realities of a changing world while retaining the distinctive Bhil aesthetic.

In a field where tribal and women artists have historically received limited recognition, Bhuri Bai’s artistic journey broke significant barriers. Her contributions have been honoured with several prestigious awards, including the Shikhar Samman and India’s fourth-highest civilian award, the Padma Shri (2021), affirming her enduring influence and global impact on Indian art.