TRADITIONAL WORLI ART

India, an agrarian country & birth place to one of the earliest civilisations, is famous for highly animated lifestyle of natives. It wont be surprising to say, that the Indus civilization led to the birth of many tribes, and the tribes eventually led to different tribal arts, (as an expression of individuality through it). The tribal artist of India, paint as a part of their celebration of life, its various cycles, & the abundance of nature.

Worli Art, roots out of the Worli Tribe of Maharashtra., depicting vivid elements of the native tribal lifestyle. The art initially festooned the walls of rural community dwellings, by using rice flour paste on the mud surface.

The modern era has been marked with the Tribal Art exploring the contemporary mixed medias, as an advanced take on rice flour paste & mud surface.

Different Base alternates:

1) Wall coated with Clay ; Clay – Cow Dung Mixture (2:1)

2)   Primer/paint coated ply board

3)   Canvas ; Silk ; Cotton ; Jute

4)   Paper

5)   Terracotta pots/ plates

The ideal base color complementing the aesthetics of Worli Art is advised to be Mud, Brown, Black & White.

While, the color of medium could be White, Brown or Black, in accordance to the color of base.

Different Medium Alternates:

1)   Natural colors (using Kikar gum paste as fastness fixer)

White – Chalk Powder/Rice Paste;

Brown – Coffee Bean / Neem Bark Powder

Black - Soot

2)   Poster Color

3)   Water-proof ink

4)   Permanent Marker

5)   Acrylic Color

HOW TO MAKE A WORLI PAINTING.

1)   Select a theme, inspired from human routine (example morning ritual etc.)

2)   Deconstruct the selected theme.

3)   Try to doodle the elements post deconstruction (preferably free hand).

4)   Take cues from the wireframe used during Worli painting.

5)   While being conscious about base & medium, attempt to paint Worli figurines, predominantly highlighting the silhouettes of the chosen elements.