Bohada

In Palghar, life was woven into flora and fauna. Now, half-demolished homes and razed forests mark where Adivasi communities once thrived. But the Waghoba still roams.

Artists

Gaurav Tumbada (Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai)

Medium

Print on Chitrapat Paper laid on board, Traditional Animal Masks in Paper Pulp, Bamboo mat, supli with terracotta roof tiles, Video

Venue

Vallabhdas Kanji Limited (VKL) Warehouse, Mattancherry, Fort Kochi, Kerala

Timings

10AM to 6PM (Mon to Sunday)

Till March 31st, 2026

About

For the local inhabitants of the Palghar district, life has traditionally been woven into its surrounding flora and fauna. Nestled between Mumbai and the industrial hubs of Gujarat, this protected region has been pushed into the orbit of urban development policies.

A sanctuary to several Adivasi communities, now remains marred by half-demolished homes, razed forest lands, and disappearing wildlife eroding away the cultural practices and livelihoods of the people. Gaurav Tumbada encapsulates a moment steeped in this dichotomy, of celebration amidst disarray. Amongst the melange of enduring traditions, the Bohada celebrates the forest's guardian, the Waghoba (tiger).

Through his assemblage of found objects and documentative works, broken rooftiles adorn woodpiles and hostility arrives into what was once home. Gaurav mirrors the solitary Waghoba, a figure emblematic of resilience, roaming the village as a silent witness to the fragility of both his habitat and the people he seeks to protect.

Kochi Biennale 2025