Fusion folk art of India
Folk Art Paintings
The term ‘folk paintings’ here encompasses the art in Indian villages where people indulge in art without any proper training. The folk and tribal arts are very ethnic and simple, yet colorful and vibrant. The focus here is on two folk arts of India- Madhubani art of Bihar and Warli paintings of Maharashtra.
Madhubani paintings originated in a small village, known as Maithili, in Bihar state of India. There are three main styles in Madhubani art-the Bharni style is identified by the use of vibrant colors and minimal use of lines, while beautiful patterns through the intricate use of lines marks the Kachni style. The Tattoo style uses the same motif repeated in a linear format. The themes and motifs of Madhubani art are drawn from a palette of mythical figures, gods and goddesses, ritual activity and very importantly, local flora and fauna.
Warli Art was first discovered in the early seventies. Warli painting is monochromatic, mostly in white pigment, through basic geometric expressions- a circle, a triangle, and square. The central motif of these rituals are paintings, hunting, fishing, farming, festivals, dances, trees & animals. A common pattern in Warli art is circles without ends or beginnings. These circles represent their belief that death is a new beginning rather than an end.
In Hinduism, there are hundreds of gods and goddess. The themes of Madhubani paintings are primarily religious and mythological, with a focus on Hindu gods and goddesses, scenes from epic scriptures like the Ramayana and Mahabharat, and stories of devotion and love.
