Art of Warli

The Warlis of Maharashtra have developed a unique style of painting. Warli art dates back to the 10th century. Unlike other folk art forms, Warli art does not depict mythological scenes, nor does it use colours. It is characterized by simple, white coloured, geometric, triangular human and animal figures with stick-like hands and legs.

The tribals first smear the walls of their hut with wet cowdung and then coat them with red mud. Using a bamboo twig as a brush and rice paste as paint, they draw scenes from their daily life – harvesting, hunting, cooking, weddings and other rituals.

The art was discovered and revived in the 1970s. Today, Warli paintings are also done on cloth and paper.

Try Your Hand at Warli Art!

You can’t draw on the walls like the Warlis do, but you can draw on paper.