Kailash Pradhan is a traditional Gond artist, born in Pathangad, Madhya Pradesh, and educated up to the 12th standard in Amarkantak, Kailash Kumar Pradhan has been practicing painting for the past 15 years. Belonging to the Pradhan community, he did not inherit the art from his family, as his father and grandfather were not artists. Instead, he learned directly from his uncle, Heeraman Urwety, a practicing Gond artist based in Bhopal. His works are deeply inspired by nature, featuring motifs of deer, elephants, and other animals, as well as folk stories and narratives from his village and community. Through his paintings, he brings alive the traditions, oral tales, and environment that surround him.
Kailash has participated in around 30 exhibitions and conducted 15 workshops in schools and colleges. He continues to showcase his art with dedication and sincerity.
Initially balancing part-time jobs after completing school, Kailash eventually turned to painting full-time, both as a means of earning a livelihood for his family and as a way to connect with people, share stories, and build recognition. For him, the art not only sustains his family but also creates opportunities to meet diverse audiences and spread awareness of his community’s traditions.