Bhuri Bai, an internationally celebrated Bhil folk artist from Pitol, Madhya Pradesh, draws inspiration from the vibrant colours and celebrations of her village life. From a young age, she painted anything that captivated her imagination—from tales of powerful goddesses to daily village scenes—integrating the rich cultural heritage of her community into her work. Bhuri Bai became the first Bhil artist to paint on paper and canvas after a suggestion from renowned Indian artist Jagdish Swaminathan, a pivotal shift that transformed her from a local folk painter decorating village walls to a contemporary artist bringing Bhil art to global prominence.

Rooted in traditional Bhil art, Bhuri Bai’s paintings are vivid and intricate depictions of her village’s culture, including animals, flora, deities, festivals, dances, tattoos, ornaments, and architectural elements like huts and granaries. Her work often features elongated, surreal forms that are filled with dots, spirals, and elaborate patterns. More recently, Bhuri has expanded her subject matter to reflect urban elements such as aeroplanes, cars, and buses, blending modernity with tradition.

Bhuri Bai’s works have been showcased in galleries and museums across Europe, Australia, and the United States, and her painting Story of the Jungle was auctioned at Sotheby’s in 2007. She has received several prestigious awards, including the Shikhar Samman from the Government of Madhya Pradesh in 1986 and the Ahilya Samman in 1998. In 1999, she joined a presidential delegation to Australia, participating in a workshop with Australian Aboriginal artists. Currently, Bhuri Bai continues to work as an artist with the Adivasi Lok Kala Academy in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.