Khushi Sharma
Warli art is a traditional folk art form that originated in Maharashtra, India, and is characterized by its geometric patterns and colorful images.
History
The name ‘Warli’ is inspired by the largest tribe found in the northern outskirts of Maharashtra’s capital Mumbai also the term ‘Warli’ is derived from ‘Waral’ which means a small piece of tilled land. It is dated back to the 10th century AD. The Warli Tribe is an indigenous tribe, found in Western India. Portions of mountainous as well as coastal regions of the Maharashtra-Gujarat border are inhabited by the Warli/Varli tribes
It is stated the Warli women used to paint their walls during the marriage to reflect on happiness and celebrations. Warli wall paintings are considered to be auspicious.
Who popularised Warli art?
Jivya Soma Mashe (1934 – 15 May 2018) was an artist of the Maharashtra state in India, who popularised the Warli tribal art form. Mashe was born in Dhamangaon village in Talasari taluka of Thane district of Maharashtra.
What does Warli art include ?
Warli art is based on three elementary shapes combined in various ways:
The triangle (reminiscent of the pointed form of the sacred mountains and human forms)
The circle (the sun and the moon) and the visual pattern of the narration
The square (which is the shape both of the sacred space and the piece of land) Dots and dashes represent geometrical designs
How Warli art is made?
The ritual paintings are usually created on the inside walls of village huts. The walls are made of a mixture of branches, earth and red brick that make a red ochre background for the paintings. The Warli only paint with a white pigment made from a mixture of rice flour and water, with gum as a binder in order to make it long lasting.