India is a land of rich cultural heritage, and there is no limit to the heritage arts and crafts of India that have been passed down through centuries. Are you someone interested in knowing more about the traditional art forms? Then, this is it for you. A simple mistake can create a masterpiece, which is only possible in art. The paintings of each region reflect the culture and traditions and have immortalised them through the art form. This article on ancient techniques with modern values will help you gain a new perspective on the heritage art and crafts of India.

Heritage art and crafts of India

Tanjore Art
Madhubani Painting
Warli Folk Painting
Pattachitra Painting
Rajasthani Miniature Painting
Kalamezhuthu

Indian woman painting — Image credits: Unsplash

Tanjore Art

One can simply define Tanjore art, or Thanjavur paintings, as ‘religious paintings with a royal heritage.’ Moreover, Tanjore painting ranks first among the greatest traditional art forms in the world. They majorly depict mythological stories and characters. These religious paintings instill spirituality in the minds by adding an essence of creativity to it.

Initially, this art form originated in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. Later, it got its fame during the rule of the mighty Chola empire. The pictorial representation of gods and goddesses, with cut glass stone works and gold foil work on wooden panel, is truly a visual treat.

Madhubani Painting

Madhubani painting, also known as Mithila Art. It is quite famous in the Mithila region of Bihar. With eye-catching bright colours and contrasting patterns, the art form is truly mesmerising. Do you know that Madhubani painting has a woman majority? Yes, the art was mostly done by women in the old days. But now, men also indulge in this art form in order to meet demand. Madhubani paintings are famous because of their tribal motifs and usage of bright earthy colours. A freshly plastered or mud wall is the canvas.

For commercial purposes, it is being done on paper, cloth, and canvas boards. They make brushes with cotton wrapped around a bamboo stick. Do you know how they make colours? Read on…

Natural colours of Madhubani Painting

The black colour is obtained by mixing soot with cow dung.
Yellow from turmeric or pollen or lime and the milk of banyan leaves.
Blue from indigo.
Red from the Kusam flower juice or red sandalwood.
Green from the leaves of the wood apple tree.
White from rice powder.
Orange from Palash flowers.

Warli Folk Painting

As you head to the heart of Maharashtra in India, you will be amazed by this unique intricate art form. Popularly known as Warli folk paintings, the name is the same as the largest tribe found on the northern outskirts of Mumbai, in Western India. This age-old art form can be found on caves dating back to 10th century A.D.

You can witness this art in the walls of the village houses of Warli people. This art form does not depict the images of gods and goddesses. However, these narrate stories of village scenes from daily life. The rhythmic pattern on the mud walls with dots and lines is indeed one of the top heritage arts and crafts of India. Currently, you can spot such designs in clothes, wall hangers, bicycles, etc.

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Pattachitra Painting

Pattachitra painting is one of the oldest and most popular heritage art and crafts of India. It was initially founded and practiced in Odisha. The word Pattachitra is the split of Patta, meaning canvas, and Chitra, meaning picture. Pattachitra means painting done on canvas and beautified by the application of rich colours. You can see creative motifs and designs and depiction of simple themes that are mostly mythological. The most famous amongst them are

Thia Badhia – depiction of the temple of Jagannath.
Krishna Lila – enactment of Jagannath as Lord Krishna displaying his powers as a child.
Dasabatara Patti – the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
Panchamukhi – depiction of Lord Ganesh as a five-headed deity.

Rajasthani Miniature Painting

Introduced by the Mughals, the art of miniature painting initially originated in Persia. It is indeed a top-notch art form. During the 16th century, the Mughal emperor Humayun brought the artworks from Persia to India. And the rest is history. Later, the succeeding Mughal emperor, Akbar, built an atelier in order to promote this rich form of art. Also, the Persian artists trained the local Indian artists and made them create this distinctive style of painting in large numbers. The themes of these paintings include the royal and romantic lives of the Mughals. Meanwhile, as years progressed, the Indian artists aced this skill, which led to the opening of art schools. Some of them are still in existence in Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Jaipur.

Kalamezhuthu

Finally on the list is the well-known art of drawing. Have you ever wondered what the art form at the entrance of homes and temples is? It is Kolam or Rangoli. Also, it is a vivid part of the domestic routine in Hindu households. The people of India consider this art form an auspicious practice to welcome a deity into the house. As simple as it might look, it is one of the traditional arts and crafts of India.

Kalam, on the other hand, is practiced in Kerala. A ritualistic art practiced in temples of Kerala by representing pictures of deities like Kali and Lord Ayyappa on the floor. Also, only a particular caste of people does this art, keeping different aspects and strict rules in mind. Some of them include patterns, minute details, dimensions, and colour choice as well. However, these artworks are totally dependent on the occasion and not on the choice of the artist.

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Rangoli Kolam- Heritage art and crafts of India

Give life to the history buff in you, explore the various regions of India, and immerse yourself in the arts and crafts of India. Just as you step into the forts or caves, you enter the realm of the past that engulfs you completely. Looking at the different art forms will leave you awestruck but also give you a new perspective on life and art. Indian tourism is flourishing as it is blessed with rich culture and natural beauty everywhere you turn. Head to any place you want and learn about the culture, art, and lifestyle. Remember, every piece of art tells a story, and get ready to discover them!