Indian Paintings: Traditional Art Forms
India’s rich cultural diversity finds vibrant expression in its enchanting folk arts and traditional painting styles. Across different regions of the country, unique forms of painting have evolved over centuries, reflecting local traditions, customs, beliefs, and mythological narratives. Originally created on walls, floors, and cloth, many of these art forms have gradually transitioned to paper and canvas while preserving their authentic spirit.
These paintings are not merely decorative; they are visual stories passed down from one generation to another, representing India’s artistic legacy. Below are some of the most celebrated traditional folk painting styles of India:
Madhubani Painting
Madhubani painting originated in the Mithila region of Bihar and is one of India’s most famous folk art traditions. Traditionally created on mud walls and floors of homes, Madhubani paintings are known for their intricate geometric patterns, mythological themes, and symbolic motifs. Bright and vibrant colours such as red, yellow, blue, and green are used to create striking compositions.
There are five major styles of Madhubani art: Katchni, Bharni, Tantrik, Khobar, and Godna. The art form beautifully portrays scenes from Hindu mythology, nature, and social rituals. Renowned artists like Lalita Devi and Bua Devi have received national recognition for their contributions.
Warli Painting
Warli painting is a 2,500-year-old tribal art form practiced mainly in the Thane and Nashik regions of Maharashtra. Characterized by simple geometric shapes like circles, triangles, and squares, Warli paintings depict daily life activities such as farming, dancing, hunting, and festivals.
Traditionally painted with rice paste on mud walls using twigs, this art form is admired for its simplicity and deep cultural symbolism. Jivya Soma Mashe, a Padma Shri awardee, played a crucial role in popularizing Warli art beyond tribal communities.
Kalighat Painting
Kalighat painting emerged in the mid-19th century near the Kali Temple in Calcutta (now Kolkata). Created on paper by artists known as “patuas,” these paintings portray mythological deities as well as scenes from everyday life.
Kalighat art is known for its bold outlines, fluid brush strokes, and earthy Indian colours such as indigo, ochre, and Indian red. Anwar Chitrakar is a National Award-winning artist associated with this style.
Phad Painting
Phad painting is a traditional scroll painting style from Rajasthan. Painted on long horizontal cloth scrolls, Phad art narrates stories of local deities, heroic legends, and romantic tales.
The vibrant use of red, yellow, and orange hues makes Phad visually captivating. Multiple narratives are skillfully woven into a single composition. Shantilal Joshi is a National Award-winning artist known for preserving this art form.
Miniature Painting
Indian miniature painting flourished during the 16th century under Mughal patronage. This intricate art style blends Persian, Islamic, and Indian elements and is known for its fine detailing and delicate brushwork.
Natural mineral colours, precious stones, gold, and silver were traditionally used in miniature paintings. Various schools developed across India, including Mughal, Kangra, Rajasthan, Malwa, Pahadi, and Deccan styles. Gopal Prasad Sharma is recognized for excellence in this art form.
Gond Painting
Gond painting originates from the Gond tribe of central India. These paintings are characterized by vibrant colours and intricate patterns of dots and dashes.
Traditionally, natural materials such as charcoal, plant sap, mud, and leaves were used to prepare colours. Gond art often depicts animals, folklore, and mythological stories. Bhajju Shyam is a prominent National Award-winning Gond artist.
Kerala Murals
Kerala mural paintings are classical wall paintings with deep spiritual roots. Found primarily in temples and palaces, these murals depict Hindu mythological stories, particularly scenes of Krishna, Shiva, and Shakti.
Bold outlines and vivid colours such as ochre-red, yellow, green, and white define this art form. Achutan Ramchandran Nair was honoured with the Padma Bhushan for his contributions to mural art.
Patachitra Painting
Patachitra is a traditional art form from Odisha. Derived mainly from mythological and religious themes, Patachitra paintings feature bold outlines, decorative borders, and vibrant colours like red, yellow, white, and black.
This art form is admired worldwide for its intricate detailing and storytelling style. Sharat Kumar Sahu is a National Award-winning artist associated with Patachitra.
Pichwai Painting
Pichwai painting originated in Nathdwara, Rajasthan, as decorative backdrops for temples dedicated to Lord Krishna. These paintings narrate stories of Krishna’s life and are rich in symbolism and intricate motifs.
Characterized by vibrant colours and devotional themes, Pichwai paintings represent spiritual expression through art. Kalyan Mal Sahu has been nationally recognized for his contributions to preserving this heritage.
Kalamkari
Kalamkari is an ancient, nearly 3,000-year-old traditional Indian art form that originated in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Kalamkari is more than just a textile technique; it is a labor-intensive ritual that marries chemistry with creativity. At its heart, the art relies on a complex 23-step purification and dyeing process that can take weeks to complete, because it uses only natural substances—like crushed pomegranate for yellow and fermented iron for black—the colors are subtle, earthy, and exceptionally durable.
Core Elements of the Craft
- The "Kalam" (Pen): In the Srikalahasti style, artists use a sharpened bamboo reed with a compact bundle of fine hair or wool tied near the tip. This acts as a reservoir, allowing the artist to regulate the flow of dye by squeezing the bundle.
- The Milk Treatment: A unique step involves soaking the fabric in a mixture of buffalo milk and myrobalan. This prevents the colors from "bleeding" into each other and gives the fabric a distinct, slightly creamy scent and texture.
- River Washing: Traditional practitioners insist on washing the fabric in running river water. The specific mineral content of local rivers (like the Swarnamukhi) is believed to play a chemical role in brightening the natural dyes.
- A Storyteller's Canvas: Historically, Kalamkari served as a visual aid for wandering singers and scholars who used these large painted scrolls to illustrate scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata for village audiences.
- Modern Resilience: Despite the rise of cheap screen-printed imitations, authentic "GI-tagged" Kalamkari is highly valued in high fashion today, often seen in luxury sarees, scarves, and contemporary home furnishings.
