Warli Art

The small crowd that had gathered around a simple-looking piece of art was involved in an animated discussion. Some admired the deeper meaning that the art piece reflected and some others dismissed the art form as an overrated work.  Yes!!! They were discussing the Warli Art. In an art lover’s acumen Warli Art represents the elements of nature, and for a novice’s eyes the art is a rustic form made with triangular figures.

What is Warli Art? It is an art form of the Warli tribes inhabiting the region north of Sahayadri hills. Like any other/all other tribal communities the Warli tribes also live in unison with nature and it is very well reflected in their paintings. It is believed that this form of art dates back to 3000 BC.

The central theme of these painting are always mother nature, accentuated with wild lives, plants, trees etc. The hard working nature of the tribal community is represented in these paintings (one can always see men and women working in fields and engaged in some vocation or the other). Celebrations are all community celebrations and are never confined to individual households. (Celebrations are represented by the famous Tarpa dance). Oh!!! There are so many lessons to learn from them.

All the depictions are done with geometric patterns (triangles, circles, squares, more often than not). The figures are traditionally drawn on walls, of dark background (representing the earth), with rice paste. Contemporary Warli enthusiasts paint it on canvas with acrylic paints.

It is heartening to see the art form making its way into modern day home décor.

Thankfully Warli art has not gone into the oblivion, is not buried in the sands of time, but is revived and is catching art lovers’ attention across the globe.

Some Warli Painting attempts by the writer and her daughter