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India has always been known on the national and international fronts for its stunning Indian folk art forms. Tribes or groups of artists from every corner of the country have come together since time immemorial to create art that has won the hearts of millions of people. Indian folk art paintings are canvases to unwrap the lives of people from the community and the intricacies of their culture. These paintings are a mode to unveil even the history of the time when no authentic written forms of history were available.
There’s no denying the fact that Indian tribal art painting is more than a mere art form, it’s a mirror that reflects the tradition, culture, and identity of the artists or people that influenced the art form. Rooted deeply in the rich soil of heritage, tribal culture drawing is the epitome of creativity and ingenuity of indigenous communities across the country. From the verdant hills of northeast India to the arid plains of central India, each stroke of paint tells a story, and each motif whispers a tale of bygone eras. Can’t wait any longer to explore them? You don’t need to! We are all set to take a deep dive into the kaleidoscope of colours that adorn the canvas of Indian tribal paintings:
Explore Famous 9 Indian Tribal Paintings
We have made a list of the top 9 most colorful, sinuous, and appealing folk paintings of India that people cannot have enough of. Let’s explore them:
Warli Painting
Hailing from the Warli tribe of Maharashtra, Warli painting is a timeless art form known to the world for its simple yet evocative motifs. Drawing inspiration from nature and daily life, Warli paintings feature geometric shapes such as circles, triangles, and squares, depicting scenes of hunting, fishing, and harvest festivals. Being an art form that’s believed to have been in existence since the Neolithic period, the timeline of its discovery is pretty late, only during the 7th decade of the last century. From hanging on the wall to being a decorative piece for bedroom linen, Warli painting is pleasing to our eyes. This art form captures the essence of tribal life, where simplicity reigns supreme.
Gond Painting
The Gond tribe of Madhya Pradesh is behind the creation of one of the most renowned Indian folk art paintings, known as Gond art. Easy-to-identify, gond painting is all about intricately detailed and exotic trees, animals and nature such as flora and fauna. But that’s not it! The elements of Gond paintings also extend to mythical creatures, folk tales, and symbols of nature. The common motifs in this form of painting are peacock, Mahua tree, fish, lizards, snakes, deer, lions, tigers, birds, horses, monkeys, elephants and more. With its bold lines and vibrant hues, Gond art enchants spectators, leading them into a realm where reality and fantasy intertwine.
Madhubani Painting
Originating from the Mithila region of Bihar, Madhubani painting is a centuries-old Indian tribal art passed down through generations of women. Famed for its geometrical patterns and symbolic motifs, Madhubani art reflects themes of love, fertility, and devotion. Birthed almost 2500 years ago, this tribal culture drawing uses natural pigments derived from plants and minerals and organic painting tools such as matchsticks, twigs and fingers. Throughout history to date, Madhubani art continues to capture the attention of audiences around the world.
Pithora Painting
A form of Indian tribal art painting, Pithora painting is a way to pay respect to the God of food grains, Pithora. Being dominated by horse motifs, this is one of the Indian folk art forms where men dominate. However, as this tribal culture drawing is primarily performed on walls over plaster of cow dung and mud, the unwed women of the family take care of the plaster work. The heavily colourful Pithora paintings depict deities and animals.
Saura Painting
Simple yet complex, the Saura tribe of Odisha has been behind the popularity and emergence of one of the most famous Indian folk art forms, Saura painting. Full of linear motifs and symbolic imagery, Saura paintings give us an insightful view into the tribe's deep connection to nature and spirituality. Revolving around the way of living, Saura art heavily uses motifs such as trees, animals, hilly regions, Idital, the sun, moon, and stars, Painted on black or brown walls, Saura artists create the paint materials using natural dyes such as leaf extracts, rice, stones or flower. Saura art invites viewers to a realm where the mysteries of existence and the interconnectedness of all life dominate.
Bhil Painting
In the realm of the flamboyant Indian tribal art forms, the Bhil tribe of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh has secured a place for their Bhil art. Drawing inspiration from tribal folklore and mythology, Bhil paintings often depict scenes of rural life, wildlife, and ancestral spirits. Prevalence of natural elements and the use of natural colours or painting materials made of clay walls, oil, turmeric, leaves, vegetables and flour make Bhil painting the true reflection of the tribe's deep-rooted connection to nature.
Santhal Painting
Originating from the Santhal tribe of Jharkhand and West Bengal, Santhal painting is an art form where the celebration of life takes centre stage. Mostly created on walls and floors using natural pigments, Santhal art is inspired by myths, legends, nature, weddings, dance, harvest, rituals or simply everyday life of the tribe. Being a tribe that’s reliant on professions such as farming, hunting or fishing, the influence of their lifestyle is evident in Santhal paintings.
Cheriyal Scroll Painting
A radiant Indian tribal art with a pervasive presence of vivid shades such as red or other primary colours, Cheriyal scroll painting is a unique art form from Telangana that combines storytelling with visual art. Brought to India by Mughal emperors, it’s one of the folk paintings of India that narrate mythological tales and epic sagas such as Mahabharata, Krishna Leela, Purana and Ramayana. Cheriyal art transports viewers to a world of wonder and imagination, where gods and demons dance amidst the brushstrokes of history.
Pattachitra Painting
Another Indian tribal art with its birthplace in Odisha, Pattachitra painting depicts scenes from temples. The dominant characters or deities in this art form are Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. However, Pattachitra painting has its version in West Bengal as well where Hindu mythology, folklore, and social narratives retain the most attention. Irrespective of the location of the painting, artists breathe life into the images by using natural pigments and handmade paper. Since its introduction, Pattachitra art has only garnered admiration.
If you are awestruck by these beauties and want to welcome one or more Indian folk art forms into your home, get the best of Indian crafts only on iTokri, a virtual store online for handmade products. Browse through the collection today!
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