Blue Window - Acrylic on canvas
The life of farming often remains hidden behind the hustle and bustle of my normal city life . I still remember a time when all vegetables were sourced locally and farmer families lived among us, my best friend was a farmers son. In recent times the Kathiawar region of Gujarat, India, farmers face significant challenges. As an artist from this area, I try to capture these stories, offering a profound insight into the lives of farming communities of a region that has changed almost beyond recognition.
In this post, we explore some of the challenges faced by Kathiawar farmers and how this has influenced my narrative.
The Kathiawar Landscape and Its Farmers
Kathiawar boasts a rugged terrain, fertile plains, and a unique climate that sets the stage for agriculture. If you are ever go, you will see lush fields of green right beside dusty arid villages. As a child a river that flowed through my village helped the land remain green. Now changing weather patterns, rainfall has decreased by approximately 20% over the past decade, causing a change to the landscape. Keshod (my town) is a dusty and dry and that river, well it no longer exists.
Local farmers primarily grow crops like cotton, millet, and pulses like channa. Despite the cultural significance of these harvests, many farmers experience stress due to the changeable market prices. Reports show that prices for crops can vary by as much as 30% within a single season, impacting farmers’ income and stability. Farming families already struggle with the young no longer wanting to farm and moving to the city. However, in my recent visit I was pleased to see there is still a sizeable community that grow and eat local, they still swap goods, oil, vegetables and milk for services.
Kamal Koria: The Artist and His Vision
Since childhood, I have been inspired by the life lived in Kathiawar. My work merge realism with traditional Indian styles, revealing heartbreak and beauty of the changing rural community. For instance, in one of his significant piece illustrates a farmer families struggle of migration during the monsoon. The grey in the clouds and reflecting the coming storm. The family moving on a gaddu, a cow drawn cart. Slow and steady.
By adding rural details and lively colors in the clothing, I am looking to invite viewers to step into the daily lives of farmers and their families.
The Impact of Climate Change
Climate change significantly impacts agriculture in Kathiawar, with adverse effects like dwindling water resources and severe weather variations. The region has witnessed a 15% increase in average temperatures over the past five years, complicating the farming cycles. Farmers now find it increasingly difficult to predict optimal planting and harvesting times.
My work looks to highlight these environmental shifts, the struggle for water and the fight to keep ones land. In this painting below, women are walking back to their home after collecting water for the family. This is normally a twice weekly task where mostly women walk to collect water from a shared tap or well.
The Power of Art in Society
My art tells the poignant stories of Kathiawar farmers and possibly all farmers, motivating us to confront both the beauty and difficulties of agricultural life. In my paintings, I am bringing to light struggles but also celebrating their inner strength and balance with the family, women, children and animals. I use vibrant colors and shapes, this is how I remember the village.
This painting is of a milk maid, cows have a cultural significance and play a big role in providing protein to local vegetarian diets.
