Lado Bai, a Bhil artist hailing from the village of Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh, creates artwork that captures the essence of her environment, intertwining the local flora and fauna with the customs and festivals of her tribe. Her creations are deeply rooted in the timeless tradition of Bhil painting, often portraying ritualized images of Pithora, the Bhil folklore god.

Inspired by the stories shared by her elders and her heartfelt belief in the spiritual significance of her art, Lado Bai’s paintings reflect a simplicity that is emblematic of tribal art. Rather than focusing on realism, her work emphasizes storytelling. The figures in her paintings, rendered in dark hues, flow across the canvas, creating a vibrant interplay of color through their dotted forms that evoke a sense of movement and rhythm.

In the 1970s, Lado Bai began the transition of her artwork from the rough mud walls of her tribal home to more traditional media like paper and canvas, guided by the renowned artist Jagdish Swaminathan at the Roopanker Museum in Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal.

Today, Lado Bai is associated with the Adivasi Lok Kala Academy, where she continues her artistic practice. Her works have garnered attention beyond India, with exhibitions held in France, the U.K., and various locations throughout India, reflecting her significant contribution to contemporary tribal art.