Indian Tribal Art gives a glimpse into India"s rich heritage. It is a unique collection of diverse styles and representation. It has become an intrinsic part of the country"s cultural identity. The Indian tribal art is rich in expression and is a living form very much with the times. Traditional Indian tribal Art tries to wholly recreate the immortal charisma of Indian tribal life. One can easily come across exquisite pieces of Indian tribal art in different parts of India.
Themes in Indian Tribal Art
Indian Tribal Art is always delineated upon positive themes and ideas like birth, life, harvest, journey, jubilation or marriage. The Indian tribes pay due veneration and reverence to Mother Earth and its crucial elements. It is a tribal art form where life and ingenuity are fused. Tribes have made their own place in the contemporary world of art. The symbols portray the imaginations of men and these imaginations are the representative emotions of the people of a particular period and society.
Types of Indian Tribal Art
Indian Tribal Art is one of the most fascinating parts of the tribal culture in India. The treasure of tribal arts is immense and has an astounding range, diversity and beauty. Indian Tribal Art takes on different manifestations through varied medium such as pottery, painting, metalwork, Dhokra art, paper-art, weaving and designing of objects such as jewellery and toys. Indian tribal paintings and sculptures are of exceedingly high quality and are documents of their cultural heritage.
•Tribal Painting: Tribal paintings usually belong from the remote tribal regions, in forests or high up in the mountains. Indian tribal paintings bearing illustrious backgrounds include Saura paintings, Gond paintings, Bondi paintings, Pithora paintings, Warli paintings, Thanka, Patta Chitra, Kurumba paintings, Khovar paintings, Pichhvai painting, Miniature painting etc. Paintings were done on the walls, palm leaves, wood blocks and cloths.
•Tattoo Art: Tattoos have been around in India since ancient times. Tattoo or body art was very prevalent among the Tribes of the Northeast as they regarded tattoos as a sign of strength, courage, and virility because of the pain associated with the piercing process. Among the Toda tribe of South India, the hands and calves and shins are tattooed with the same geometric patterns used in their embroidery.
•Dhokra Art: Dhokra is an ancient tribal art tradition prevalent in India in the eastern states of West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. This elegant craft dates back to the pre-historic times of Harappa and Mohenjodaro period of Indus valley civilisation. Dhokra statues are revered all over the world for its primeval plainness and enthralling folk motifs.
