Folk art or ‘Lok Kala’ is a big part of the cultural heritage of India. There are centuries of history and emotions associated with it. They are also representative of the rich diversity of India.
Every region and state has its distinct art form that is used by the people to express themselves and celebrate the different occasions and events in their lives.
Here are some of the art styles that originated in India and have been assiduously practiced by Indian artists-
Kalighat Paintings
It is said that the paintings originated near the Kalighat Kali Temple in Kolkata in the 19th century. People took these paintings as souvenirs from the temple.
The Occidental school of Kalighat paintings depicts the day to day life of common people.
The Oriental school of Kalighat paintings predominantly features religious figureheads such as Rama, Sita, Durga, Lakshmi, etc.
The paintings can be found in Victoria Memorial Hall in Kolkata and the Naprstek Museum in Prague.
The paintings are usually done on mill -made paper.
Phad Paintings
These paintings are a part of a 700 years old legacy that has been passed down over several generations in a single-family.
The Joshi families from Bhilwara district are regarded as the traditional artists for this art style.
Phad paintings are usually done on a long piece of canvas or cloth which is vernacularly known as ‘phad’.
Pabuji and Devnarayan are usually depicted on phads. These deities are quite popular in Rajasthan and the paintings narrate their stories.
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Tanjore Paintings
Thanjavur or Tanjore is regarded as the birthplace of this art style.
Hindu Gods such as Lord Krishna, Lord Ganesha, etc are the central figures that are depicted in the paintings.
The main figure is surrounded by arches and curtains that form the background of the paintings.
The paintings are done on wooden planks and hence are also referred to as panel paintings or palagai padam. The paintings are used as souvenirs for festive occasions in South India.
Kalamkari Paintings
This art style is practiced by several families in Andhra Pradesh and serves as a livelihood for them.
These paintings are made with the use of tamarind pens and natural extracts. Scenes and people from Ramayana and Mahabharata are chronicled in these paintings
There are 23 steps involved in the creation of these paintings which include dyeing, bleaching, hand painting, etc.
Pichhwai Paintings
The paintings decorate the walls of temples located in the Nathdwara district of Rajasthan. They are hung behind the idol of Shrinathji in the Shrinathji Temple, Nathdwara.
The tale of Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan Parvat on his little finger is frequently portrayed in these paintings using bright colors.
These paintings are not created just because they are aesthetically pleasing. The paintings also serve the purpose of educating illiterate people about the deeds of Lord Krishna.
These are just a few examples of the rich art culture and history of India. India is home to many more forms of artistry.
So, if you ever happen to visit the places that are famous for these paintings and art styles, then so take the time to observe and appreciate the beauty of these national treasures.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: The Better India, Cultural India, caleidoscope
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