FOLK ART TRADITIONS OF INDIA

Folk art of India is belonged to very ancient and passed from one generation to another. Still, these ancient art forms practicing in various places in India. They became a part of Indian tradition and culture. During the period of Indian art, many art forms were advanced and some vanished. However, the ancient folk art forms modified in colors and styles and still surviving in the society with their unique structure. The artists adopted the themes from epics, god and goddesses. In olden days the artists used natural colors, mud, charcoal and leaves. They painted on canvas and cloth to bring the antiquity to the art.

Let us see the brief description of some of Folk art traditions of India.

Phad Art

This is the traditional Art of Rajasthan. Phad artists paint the religious forms of folk deities Pabujai and devnarayan. These paintings are in large size and used fifteen high canvas or cloth. The artists used the natural vegetable colors and characterized the heroic deeds of deities.

Warli Art

Warli art is the tribal of Maharashtra where it is practiced today. Warli art is the finest tradition of Indian folk art. Warli artist use their clay huts as the back drop for their paintings. These artists use basic geometric shapes of circle, triangle and a square. Warli art paintings painted on the concept of Mother Nature and elements of nature as their focal point.

In these ritual paintings festivals and dances are depicted as common scenes. The Warli paintings painted with mixture of rice flour, water and gum on the red ochre back ground. But now these paintings not painted on ritual purpose but because of artistic pursuit. Presently Warli paintings moved on to paint on paper and cloth also.

Kalamkari Art

Kalamkari Art traditione is practiced in Machiliptnam and Srikalahasthi in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Kalamkari is a Persian word kalam means pen and kari means craftsmanship. The colors prepared naturally with leaves, vegetables and other natural sources. The artist used one type of pen to bring unique pictures.

Block printing style followed by artists in Machilipatnam and artists from Srikalahasthi are following the art drwing with pen on fabric. The art objects are flora and fauna. In Srikalahasthi, the artists adopt the themes from epic events.

Tanjore Paintings

The Thanjavur Nayakas of Tamilnadu patronaged to flourish the Tanjore art form. The painting made on wooden planks depicts devotion Gods and Goddesses. The art from is the combination of Maratha, Deccan and European styles.

Kalighat Paintings

This painting style was originated in the 19th century at Kalighat West Bengal. At first the artists adopted the themes from Hindu Epics. Later the artists concentrated on social reform subjects. They use the squirrel hair brushes to apply the colors. The artists used cheap paper and color pigments. The purpose of the paintings is to raise the awareness about the social conditions.