“Art is not what you see but it’s what you make others see”
The gap between us and our traditional roots widens as the world paces quickly towards the future. Your roots are the secret that keeps you connected with who you are.
Since ancient times, whenever languages became a barrier, art seeped into the hearts of people all around the globe. Art has always been a lot more than just a plain drawing.
When we dig deeper into the thought process that goes into creating a single piece of art, we see its precise details. Through Art, we can narrate and preserve a story for future generations.
In searching for art reminiscent of your roots, looking back at the past is necessary only to find treasured folk art. When the discussion of folk art begins, Warli painting is a topic that always comes up.
Warli painting is a famous tribal art that took birth in the Northern Sahyadri region of Maharashtra, India. Besides being one of the oldest art forms, it has attracted the audience because of its distinctive geometric design style.
The Traditional Art Of Warla:
Rumoured to originate from the 10th century AD or before, it is considered to be the pride of Warla village. Among the tribe, Warli art is significantly present in every step of their daily life.
It is an art that is significantly practised in the Warli tribal culture. Warli art was an art form which was traditionally practised by women of the Warli tribe.
How Does Warli Art Come to Life?
The term “Warli” is derived from the Warla, which means a piece of land. It is usually drawn on the walls of village huts.
Furthermore, it is a prime element in many rituals of the tribe. It is made using rice paste along with gum as a binding agent.
With the backdrop of red-ochre Mud walls, its white-pigmented colour stands out. The red ochre background is made of branches, earth and bricks. It aims to capture epic scriptures, weddings, harvests, and other festivals in geometrical shapes. To add different colours, natural dyes are also used.
A Little More About Warli Art
The Warli tribe’s beliefs revolve around the concept of nature worship. For this very same reason, you can easily spot nature’s motifs in Warli’s art.
Other than that, the different geometric shapes have prominent depictions. They are inspired by the natural origins of nature such as circles and triangles representing the sun, moon, and mountains.
While square shapes represent human inventions. When you look closely, you can find the human structures made out of two triangles performing tasks. Together, Warli’s art is a manifestation of the tribe’s simplistic way of living.
Types of Warli Art
Warli art became a pioneer tool to capture multiple prescriptions with its unique art style.
Below are some of the common yet significant types of Warli art:
Lagna Chauk:
It is a rectangular Warli art that is drawn to celebrate weddings. It’s a pivotal part of wedding rituals. It depicts animals, humans, and geometric patterns.
It is usually drawn in the bridal room. Lagna chauk is a painting style that infuses the feeling of harmony, prosperity and fertility.
Dev Chauk:
The word ‘Dev Chauk’ can be translated to God’s square. It is a painting that depicts symbols, tribal gods and goddesses.
This kind of style is most common on the walls of temples and sacred spaces for rituals. It is a connection that binds the Warli tribe and their spiritual beliefs closer.
Agriculture:
One of the most common Warli art styles is agriculture. It is one of the most important activities that happens in the Warli tribe.
This painting style depicts scenes of sowing, harvesting and other activities. It represents the synergy and harmony of communal work.
Who Made Warli Art Famous?
Until the 1970s, Warli’s art was only limited to the outskirts of Maharashtra.
Jivya Soma introduced Warli art to the world. He was the first artist to start Warli’s painting on a canvas. The government assigned a team to protect the art. It became a way to save it from being extinct.
In that team, Bhaskar Kulkarni who’s an artist from All India Handloom spotted Jivya Soma’s talent. With the immaculate guidance of Bhaskar, Jivya Soma’s first exhibition was held in Pragati Maidan in Delhi in 1973.
Moreover, Warli’s art gained more popularity through tourism and handicrafts. It became one of the first socio-economic revolutionising tribal art that reached a global level and became a means of earning for tribal families.
Revive Tribal Magic Through Wallpapers
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In today’s fast-paced world, walking along the ancient art heritage is a way to be in touch with your roots.
In other words, it’s like carrying your pride as a jewel as you stomp your way to your future. An excellent way to incorporate tribal magic into your home decor.
It does not only aim to enrich your home environment but also represents the beauty of the famous tribe.
Take a peek at our Warli wallpaper collection to celebrate the haven of tribal art on your walls.
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