Folk and Indigenous Art

Fish Net (Paagir)

This work illustrates a Fishing Net, also called Paagir, by Warli artist Sadashiv Mashe (b. 1860), son of the celebrated artist and Padma Shri awardee Jivya Soma Mashe (1934-2018). A common subject, this net is portrayed in a twin format, which means it is composed of two paintings of the subject that the artist has… Read more »

Birth

Warli painting, traditionally mural art, is practised by members of the Warli community residing in Maharashtra and parts of Gujarat. Warli art often depicts scenes and aspects from occupations such as agriculture, fishing, hunting, and significant occasions such as festivals, weddings, and births to commemorate the community’s culture and beliefs. This Warli artwork titled ‘Birth’… Read more »

Mayank Shyam and the forest of Gond

If there’s one lesson Mayank Shyam has learnt from his father and legendary Gond artist Jangarh Singh Shyam, it is to be wholly, joyously, uncompromisingly himself and true to the soil that has nourished him

Madhubani

Welcome to the historic land of Mithila, home to a beautiful art that is part-myth and part-memory. Today a town called Madhubani in Bihar houses some of the most gifted artists of this tradition. We are proud to present our second film Madhubani – Art from a Sacred Land, which travels to a tiny hamlet… Read more »

Pattachitra: Manasa Goddess

The Bengal Pattachitra is a visual and oral art tradition practised by the Patuas or Chitrakars of West Bengal. They earn their livelihood by telling stories from Hindu Mythology, local folklores, Sufi tradition and contemporary themes through paintings and songs. The unfolding or playing of the Pata is called ‘Pat Khelano’, and the song through… Read more »

Untitled (Harvesting)

This composition showing a harvest is a Warli painting on a cow-dung-washed canvas by Jivya Soma Mashe (1934-2018). The artist depicts the harvesting season and its corresponding activities in this painting. Wagobha, the community’s tiger god, has a dedicated shrine in the composition’s bottom centre. For the Warli community, farming is a vital source of… Read more »