Folk & Tribal Art
In December 2001, the township got enriched by the
visit of two Indian artists: Kalyan Joshi hailing from Rajasthan doing 'Phad'
paintings and Dilip of from Maharashtra doing 'Warli'.
They visited Auroville for a week and painted many walls in the township on
commission.
Indian Folk and Tribal Art
In a vast country as India it is but natural that
there is a great variety of folk and tribal art. Some of the major styles of
these art forms are known as:
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'Phad' from Rajasthan,
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'Warli' from Maharashtra,
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'Pithora' from Gujarat,
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'Chittara' from Karnataka,
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'Patua' from West Bengal, and
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'Madubani' from Bihar.
Phad
In a 'Phad' painting colour, costume and culture are
reflected in colours that are vegetable dyes which the artist himself prepares.
The paintings have a mythlogical meaning and usually depict the story of Pabuji,
a 
Rajput revered for his deeds. Done usually in scrolls of 30 feet long, they show
Pabuji's victory and the life style of his time. The colours are done on an
off-white background used in a fixed order starting from orange-yellow to brown,
green, red and finally black. White is merely used for decoration.
Warli
An innate simplicity marks 'Warli' art which is quite
popular right now. It's done with rice paste on walls coated with cow dung.
Stick figures come energetically to life when 'Warli' artists from Maharashtra
get to work. Typically these paintings show a multitude of tiny human forms,
hunting, dancing or cultivating the land.
'Warli' art has always been appreciated in Auroville with the Auroville Press
developing a line of stationary with 'Warli'-based designs. Also on our website
we have used some of this art forum in the section on Auroville's bio-region.
Auroville transformed..
Madhyam, an organisation from Bangalore, brought a
presentation of these various art forms to Auroville and was also instrumental
in bringing Kalyan Joshi Dilip here. They painted many walls using acrylic
colours and it was an absolute joy to see them at work, and also to now see
their work.
'Phad' paintings were done at Athithi Griha
guesthouse in Bharat Nivas, the Kindergarten in the Centre of the town, Halcyon
at the beach, Dharmesh's house at Petite Ferme as well as a temple wall in
Alankuppam.
'Warli' paintings emerged at the above places as well, and also at Patrick's at
Fertile East, Michel's pottery at Dana, Samasti Guest House, Udavi School and
Kuilapalayam School.
Take a look next time you're here!
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