Indian tribal paintings

 Indian tribal paintings possess an inimitable sensitivity, as tribal folks possess a passionate awareness, massively varying from the urbanised population. India presents before the world perhaps as sunny a field as any solitary country in the world pregnant with a perfect specimen of all the minute varieties of Oriental life; of Oriental scenery, Oriental nations and Oriental manners, and it is open to the globe to explore these peculiarities to the last degree while enjoying perfectly European security. And tribal paintings cater to such Orientalism, inexhaustible charisma of the “others”; a perfect expression of their life redrawing their passion and mystery.

Tribal painting is the mirror of the energy of the respective art of various tribal groups. It is a living and changing art form, which changes with time, necessity, environment, memories, global influences and experiences of these people.

Warli Paintings

Warli paintings come from the Warlis tribe principally found in “Thane” district in the state of

Maharashtra. The theme of Warli painting is not mythological but rather activities of daily life like hunting, harvesting, dancing and sowing.

Santhal painting

Santhal Paintings have its origin that dates back to pre- aryan period . They are drawn by a special community called Jadu Patua or magic painters in the Santhal Paragana district of Bengal/Bihar borders. These paintings cover simple themes like wedding, harvest, music and daily rituals.

Jhoti Chita- Traditional art of Odisha

 Jhoti Chita is a traditional art of Odisha, which is done with rice paste on walls and floors during puja or ocassions. It is mainly drawn using fingers as well as brush and represents different patterns of religious or spiritual significance.

Jhoti Chita, also known as Rangoli, is a traditional art or painting of Odisha which is mostly found in the rural parts of the state. Jhoti Chita or Rangoli is created by making beautiful patterns on the walls or floors using an improvised brush made of cotton and stick or piece of cloth. It can also be done with bare fingers.

Painting technique of Jhoti Chita
While Rangolis are made using coloured powders, Jhoti involves line art using the traditional white coloured, semi liquid paste of rice or Pithau. The watery or semi-liquid rice paste is soaked in a piece of cloth or small cotton ball for the drawing. This cloth or cotton ball is usually surrounded with a stick or twig for better grip. The painting mainly portrays different patterns and shapes. Some of them represent religious signs or symbols while others can be just patterns for beautification.

Colours of Jhoti Chita
Several figures and flower patterns are drawn in Jhoti Chita or Rangoli. Before starting the painting, an earthy red colour named ‘dhau’ is smeared on the walls and floors and then the Jhotis are created. It provides a contrasted colour. Dhau is also used as a background colour of Jhoti drawings.

Religious significance of Jhoti Chita
Jhoti Chita is made during certain festivals like marriage, Manabasa Gurubara, Basanti, Kaartika, Dola, Jhulana, Dhanalakshmi puja, Gaja Lakshmi puja and Raja. For different festivals, different types of motifs are drawn on the walls or floors. For example, during Lakshmi puja, a stack of paddy or rice sheaves is drawn on the walls structured like a pyramid as it symbolizes goddess Lakshmi. Small foot marks of goddess Lakshmi are a must in any Jhoti. During Durga Puja, white and red dots are painted on the walls. This combination of red and white signifies the worship of Shiva and Shakti. Intricate and beautiful floral designs like the lotus, elephants, symbols used in Patachitra find place in this form of free hand drawing.