Page 2 - Jul-Sep 2014

FOLK PAINTING... AS IT CAME INTO BEING

“Paintings emerge to propitiate the dark forces. Geometric diagrams drawn in white, black and sombre red… Pure and
immense, energy charged colours seen by the silent eye of meditation in the darkness and space of the within…. Forms,
concentrated circles, lapping and over lapping squares, lotuses, angles and triangles emerge, creating visual illusions,….”
- Pupul Jayakar, The Earth Mother, 1989
History
GEoMEtry, syMMEtry AND syMBoLisM
The rock art of our predecessors had
significant impact on folk painting in n Bindu or dot: depicts the energy centre of the cosmos
india, be it the cave paintings of Bhim- and the seed of creation.
betka or the frescoes of ajanta and El- n Trikon or triangle: it depicts the three virtues - satva, raja
lora. in fact, the same geometrical patterns that are used in and tamas and the three dimensions of past, present and
folk painting dots, triangles, horizontal lines, squares, human future.
and animal figures were used initially in rock art. The seals n Chaturbhuj or quadrangle: it is the symbol of order and
of the indus Valley also depict folk paintings. There is a refer- stability.
ence to dhulichitra or art made with powder colours in the n Chauk or square: it is the basic square design in folk
ancient treatise Vishnudharmottara Purana. paintings.
n Panchkon or pentagon: it symbolises the five elements -
The famous Madhubani paint- earth, sky, water, fire, and air.
ing is one of the oldest folk n ashtkon or octagon: it
painting styles of india. From symbolizes protection.
time immemorial the women n Swastika: it represents the four
living in the region which was arms of lord Vishnu. it is the most
once the ancient kingdom of auspicious symbol.
Mithila have produced a vigor- n Vrita or circle: it depicts space
ous distinctive style of painting. Illustration by: Akshit Lakhampal, VI F, and time.
V.V.D.A.V. Public School, New Delhi
n Chakra or wheel: it symbolises
The Patachitra is yet another ancient form of folk art. This art time and life cycle.
form originated from the temple of Jagannath Puri in Odisha Illustration by: Aarohi Shah, XII A,
in the 12th century. The warli of Maharashtra is supposed Mayo College Girls School, Ajmer
to have originated sometime around 2500 to 3000 bCe in a ACtiVity
rudimentary form with its antecedents in the rock art done
on cave walls. Though in its present form it is believed to have 1. label as many as four shapes
originated sometime around the 10th century. in the Mandana painting.

2. Folk paintings depict various
rADiANt rANGoLi animals in different forms. all
these depictions have a deep
The colourful rangoli is a form of folk painting which has been
practised in india since ancient times. Made with natural colours, meaning. Can you find the meaning behind the
rice powder and flowers, the rangoli adds to use of these animals in a folk painting?
the beauty of the traditional indian aangan animals Symbolism
or courtyard. rangoli is known by different
names in Tamil Nadu it is called Kolam, elephant
in rajasthan it is called Mandana, in west horse
bengal it is called alpana, and Muggu in bull
andhra Pradesh. it is a traditional art which is
passed on from one generation to another. Illustration by: U. Sai snake
Prakeerthi, X B, Bharatiya
Khushi Chauhan, VI D, Scholars Home, Dehradun Vidya Bhavan's, Public Fish
a very popular style of rangoli in Odisha is School, Jubilee Hills, Peacock
Muruja. it is made of colourful powder. This Hyderabad
is generally made during festivals.
Soumya Gayatri Dar, VI C, D.A.V. Public School, Bhubaneshwar

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