Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Wednesday was the fourth day of five-day 40th Lokrang Festival, currently underway at Ravindra Bhawan. But the tribal artists who have set up stalls to sell their paintings and other artworks are still waiting for buyers.

Most of them have not been able to sell a single painting. There are 20 stalls of tribal painters, 10 each of Gond and Bhil artists.  Of the 10 Bhil painting stalls, nearly five belong to family members of Padma Shri recipient and tribal artist Bhuri Bai.

Likewise, a majority of Gond painting stalls are owned by relatives of eminent painter Jangarh Singh Shyam. Tribal artists have blamed the location of stalls and disinterest in tribal art among the visitors for the poor response.

Bhuri Bai who was on a visit to stalls said it was ironic that Madhya Pradesh with largest tribal population had few patrons in the state. “Our paintings sell more in cities like Delhi and Mumbai than in our own state,” Bhuri Bai said.  Bhil painter Sita Meda has displayed paintings priced at Rs 100 to Rs 20,000 at her stall.

“People come, ask all sorts of questions, how these are made, what is shown in them and so on and then walk away without buying a single piece,” she said. Sita hopes that her works would find buyers on Thursday - the last day of the event. 

Gond artist Yashwant Dhurve too has not been able to sell a single painting. “We have worked hard but our work is not being appreciated,” he said. Dhurve said it would have been better had the tribal artists been allotted stalls at different places instead of one place. 

Bhumika Urveti, who skips her classes at Motilal Science College to manage her stall, said she couldn’t sell a single painting.