Warli painting derives its name from a small tribe inhabiting the remote, tribal regions of Maharashtra.

These are decorative paintings on floors and walls of ‘gond’ and ‘kol’ tribes’ homes and places of worship.

Trees, birds, men and women collaborate to create a composite whole in a Warli painting.

Must read: Kalighat paintings https://fotisedu.com/kalighat-paintings-first-works-of-art-from-bengal/

What are the special occasions when Warli paintings are made?

These paintings are made mostly by the women as part of their routine at auspicious celebrations.

Do Warli paintings have GI status?

Warli paintings have received the Geographical Indication (GI) status.

Must read: Phad Paintings https://fotisedu.com/phad-paintings-a-type-of-scroll-painting/

What are the subjects of Warli paintings?

Subjects are predominantly religious.

The Warli culture is centered on the concept of Mother Nature and elements of nature are often focal points depicted in Warli painting.

Male gods are unusual among the Warli and are frequently related to spirits which have taken human shape.

Must read: Mithila painting https://fotisedu.com/mithila-painting-the-madhubani-folk-art/

The central motif in the ritual painting is surrounded by scenes portraying hunting, fishing, and farming, and trees and animals.

Warli artists use their clay huts as the backdrop for their paintings.

How Warli paintings are made?

Warli paintings are made with simple and local materials like white colour and rice paste and local vegetable glue on a plain contrasting background, made in a geometric patterns like squares, triangles, and circles.

Dots and crooked lines are the units of these composition.

Flora and fauna and people’s day to day life also form a part of the painting.

Must read: Kalamkari Paintings https://fotisedu.com/kalamkari-paintings-a-continuous-legacy/

The paintings are expanded by adding subject after subject in a spiraling manner.

The rhythm of the Warli way of life is beautifully captured in simple images.

The central motif in each ritual painting is the square, known as the “chauk”.

Why Warli paintings are regarded as a secular art form?

Unlike other tribal art forms, Warli paintings do not employ religious iconography and is a more secular art form.

External link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warli_painting