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Indian Folk Art

Art is an expression of one’s traditional cultures. It encompasses a range of art forms from performing arts to visuals. Folk artists traditionally learn these skills and apprenticeships through their communities and cultural settings however many can be formally educated.

Passed down from one generation to another, Indian folk art is still alive in many parts of the country. Each one is equally unique and breathtaking. Here are some of the best known folk art forms popular for their mediums, paints, drawings and subjects.

Madhubani

Madhubani art originated in Mithila region of Bihar is also known as Mithila. Madhubani paintings are one the most popular folk arts. Known for its vibrant yet earthy colours and tribal motifs madhubani paintings were primarily done be the women of the region. The paintings are done using natural pigments derived from plants and other natural sources on freshly plastered walls or mud walls. Figures from nature & mythology are adapted to suit their style. The themes & designs widely painted are of Hindu deities, performing wedding ceremonies and social gatherings etc. The skill is handed down the generations, and hence the traditional designs and patterns are widely maintained.

Kalamkari
The term ‘Kalamkari’ is derived from the word Persian word ‘Kalam’ which means pen and ‘Kari’ which means craftmanship.  Kalamkari is an intricate style of hand painting done mainly on a piece of cloth. The form of art is significantly popular for its earthy colour tones and intricate motifs. This art involves 23 tedious steps of dyeing, bleaching, hand painting, block printing, starching, cleaning and more. Motifs drawn in Kalamkari spans from flowers, peacock, and paisleys to divine characters of Hindu epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana. Till today, many families in Andhra Pradesh continue to practice this art and this has served as the prime source of livelihood for them, over the generations.
      
warli
Warli painting is a tribal art done by the tribes of Northern Sahyadri Range of India that is Western Ghats. Warli is the largest tribe found in the Northern outskirts of Mumbai in Western India. The art form mainly involves geometric shapes like triangles, circles, squares to depict the life and beliefs of the people. Traditionally the paintings were done on special occasions like festivals, weddings and other social events. The painting would be done over a brown background which would basically be a mixture of mud and cow dung cakes. The white pigment used to draw shapes and figures would be a mixture of rice mixed with water and gum. One of the most popular themes in Warli art is a spiral chain of humans around one central motif.

Gond
Gond art is the unique art form of the Gond tribe which is one of the largest tribes in Central India specifically Madhya Pradesh. Gond paintings are a reflection of man’s close connection with natural surroundings. Gond paintings can best be described as ‘on line work’ that has an immediate effect on the viewer. Lines are used in such a way that it conveys a sense of movement to the still images. Dots and dashes are added to impart a greater sense of movement and increase the amount of detail. The artwork is finished in bright vivid colours.

Tanjore
A classical art form from Southern India Thanjavur painting or Tanjore painting believes to have originated in the Late 16th Century AD. Tanjore paintings mainly consist of themes on Hindu gods and goddesses, with figures of Lord Krishna in various poses and depicting various stages of his life being the favourite. The characteristics of the Tanjore paintings are their brilliant colour schemes, decorative jewellery with stones and cut glasses and remarkable gold leaf work. It is a perfect amalgam of both art and craft.

Kalighat
Kalighat painting is a traditional art form that originated in 19th century in Kolkata, West Bengal. The art is believed to have originated in the vicinity of iconic Kalighat temple in Kolkata. The paintings are primarily done on mill made paper with fluid brush strokes and bold eyes depicting the Hindu Gods or mythological characters, themes or events. These paintings were often created by a group of artists usually belonging to the same family. 

 Phad 
Phad painting is style of religious scroll painting mainly practiced in Rajasthan region. The paintings traditionally depict the narratives of folk deities of Rajasthan mainly Pabuji and Devnarayan, who are worshipped as incarnations of Lord Vishnu and Laxman. Phad painting is done on a long piece of cloth or a canvas. The entire process of making a Phad painting is completely natural, with the use of natural fibres, and natural paints sourced from stones, flowers, plants and herbs. The paints are handmade by the artists, and mixed with gum and water before applying to cloth. Phad artists need to be extremely skilled, adhering to techniques taught by ancestors. Depending on the complexity, it can take between a few weeks to a few months to complete an artwork.

 Pattachitra 
Pattachitra style of painting is one of the oldest and most popular art forms of Odisha. The paintings are created using a special canvas where cotton sarees are layered with Tamarind paste and then coated with clay powder. Once the ground is prepared the colours are directly filled in canvas without any kind of initial sketching. Some of the popular themes represented through this art form are Thia Badhia - depiction of the temple of Jagannath; Krishna Lila - enactment of Jagannath as Lord Krishna displaying his powers as a child; Dasabatara Patti - the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu; Panchamukhi - depiction of Lord Ganesh as a five-headed deity. Preparing the paints is perhaps the most important part of the creation of Pattachitra, engaging the craftsmanship of the chitrakars in using naturally available raw materials to bring about indigenous paints.

The Indian folk-arts have also served as a medium of expression for the cultures of nomadic tribes and ethnic groups within the country. The relevant art forms express the transient and dynamic patterns of lifestyles said communities have experienced while traveling across India.





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