Simplicity reveals the pure beauty of life. ‘Warli’ is a fascinating visual art form that portrays geometric figures and uses only two colours. The simplicity of the art form is enchanting!
It is a popular tribal art from Maharashtra and derives its name from ‘waral’ which means piece of land. Warli is a tribal community, living in parts of Nasik and Dhule district of Maharashtra, mostly in Dahanu and Talasari in northern part of Thane district, also in Valsad district of Gujrat.
Warli people are a simple community with their own beliefs, customs and traditions and this simplicity is reflected in their art. For them it’s not just art, it’s a way of life. They live in harmony with nature.
Warli is a rudimentary wall art form painted using basic geometric figures to decorate walls of their homes. Unlike other folk arts, Warli does not depict mythological characters or stories. Social life and nature is depicted in Warli painting. They worship Dhartari (Mother Earth), Kansari (grains) and Gavtari (cattles). They believe without these three, Warli doesn’t exit.
MAIN FEATURES OF WARLI PAINTINGS
Basic Motifs:
- Circle – represents sun and moon
- Triangle – derived from observation of hills and mountains
- Square – a sacred enclosure
Human and animal bodies are represented with two triangles. Its beautiful to see how different poses, movement and actions to figures; are portrayed just by joining two triangles and lines.
Themes:
Warli art is mostly illustrations of day-to-day activities of village life; depicting trees, animals, farming, fishing, festivals, folklores, celebrations, marriage. Warli people have adapted to changing times; and modern times Warli paintings portray urban lifestyles buildings, metros, cars,computers apart from traditional motifs.
Background:
The ancient times walls of huts, made the background for Warli painting. Wall plastered with cow dung or ‘geru’ served as background and white colour made from rice paste and natural gum, was used to draw the paintings.
Nowadays cloth, canvas, paper and different backgrounds with modern mediums with various colour palettes – are used to cater to market for the decorative art.
RITUALISTIC WARLI PAINTING
During auspicious celebrations like marriage ‘Chauk’ is central motif. There are two types of chauk, Dev Chauk and Lagna chauk. In the centre of Dev Chauk, image of goddess ‘Palghat’ is drawn. Palghat is a goddess of fertility and prosperity.
TARPA & TARPA DANCE
Tarpa is a musical instrument which is most identifiable symbol of Warli art and life. In every celebration and festivals, Tarpa plays an important role. Dancing and drinking are main rituals during festivals and celebrations as thanks-giving to nature’s generosity. Dancing on Tarpa tune, men and women entwine their hands and follow Tarpa player as he moves and turns while not turning their back to the Tarpa. The circle formation of the dancers resembles circle of life.
बधाई हो दीपा दीदी
बहुत सुंदर कला को प्रदर्शित किया है आपने
मौका मिला तो मैं भी यह कला चाहुंगी।