We see that now-a-days “local” has been getting a lot of importance. Support local, go local, local for vocal and so many other sayings is what we are hearing frequently. Ever heard about local form of art?
Warli painting is one such art form. Warli painting is a tribal art form of the people residing in the Northern region of Maharashtra. To be more specific in location, its in the northern Sahyadri range. This range encompasses cities such as Dahanu, Talasari, Jawhar, Palghar, Mokhada, and Vikramgad of Palghar district. The tribal art was originated in Maharashtra, where it is still practiced today. This is the specialty of the tribal and local people, they never leave their art nor do they forget their culture.
They greatly respect nature and wildlife for the resources that they provide for life. Warli artists use their clay huts as the backdrop for their paintings. These are similar to how ancient people used cave walls as their canvases. The material used is quite simple to make this warli art. The Warli only paint with a white pigment made from a mixture of rice flour and water, with gum as a binder. A bamboo stick is chewed at the end to give it the texture of a paintbrush. Thus giving a perfect blend onto the base prepared using the red bricks.
Interesting, right? Keep reading to know more about this amazing art form.
- Coca-Cola India launched a campaign featuring Warli painting in order to highlight the ancient culture and represent a sense of togetherness. The campaign called “Come Home on Deepawali” and specifically targeted the modern youth.
- On the occasions like wedding or festivals the walls are painting and decorated by warli pattern.
- Warli painting stands amongst the preserved art form among intellectual property rights.
- The artistic activity gives warli painting a look of tribal heritage ritual.
- Warli paintings covered day-to-day activities of the village people.
This is the power possessed by a local art form. Thus warli painting being an old local tradition is so unique and authentic. This art form is getting extinct. As a citizen it is important for us to understand how important our culture is. The folk culture adds up to the specialty of the place. Let us take a small step ahead and spread a word for the local art form.
Written by Sonali Sharma.