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One of the most distinctive features that makes cherial folk paintings stand apart, is the narrative format expressed through a rich scheme of colors. Themes from the epics are created using traditional techniques on a scroll of cloth that may run to many meters in length. Cherial paintings or scroll paintings are used by a community known as ‘kaki padagollu’ that uses this medium as a visual aid to narrate stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata. Presently, the artists are painting sequences in smaller sizes not only on cloth but also on cardboard, plywood and paper.

The enhancing effulgence of colors and the characters that emerge on cotton fabric, help create a resplendent spread. Kalamkari art is unique in its use of color as a medium to portray mythological characters.

As the name suggests, Kalamkari is the art of painting cotton fabrics with a kalam i. e. pen, a sharp pointed pierced bamboo that regulates flow of color on the fabric. Kalamkari has a glorious history. The popularity of this exquisite form of art crossed the shores of the country during the 17th and 18 th centuries. Kalahasti and Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh, the nerve centers of this art continue to be beehives of Kalamkari activity.

Kalamkari colors are made from vegetable dyes. In addition to themes from the epics, Kalamkari leitmotifs comprise different forms of the lotus flower, the cartwheel, parrots, an interlacing pattern of leaves and flowers.

Madhubani painting comes from the Indian villages of Madhubani and Mithila in Bihar. These paintings are done on various mediums such as cloth, hand made paper and canvas. The main themes of Madhubani paintings contain images of Hindu deities such as Krishna, Ram, Shiva, Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. Also you will be able to find beautiful Madhubani paintings of sun, moon and tulsi or the sacred basil plant revered very much by the Hindus. Scenes of royal courts and social events such as celebration of wedding are also beautifully depicted in Madhubani paintings The main categories in Madhubani paintings are: Traditional, Monochrome, tattoo, Contemporary, Animals and Birds.

Technique:

Technique requires simple raw materials that are easily located in villages such as bamboo sticks and cotton. Firstly the cotton is wrapped around a bamboo stick to serve as a brush. Then the brush is dipped in colors and applied on to the fabric. No shading technique is used. The outline is done with double lines. Colors are not used in linear paintings. Vegetable colors are used making use of natural resources. For e. g. Black – By blending soot and cow dung Yellow - From turmeric, pollen, lime, milk of banyan leaves, Blue –Indigo, Red - Kusam flower juice or red sandalwood Green - wood apple tree leaves White - Rice powder Orange - Palasha flowers. In the Madhubani painting, the treatment of color is beautifully done. The themes of daily activities, nature, flora and fauna and Hindu Gods are the most prominent. The Madhubani painting is a traditional folk art form, which has succeeded in creating a place for itself internationally and is recognized world over.

Miniature Paintings are examples of superb and skilled talent exhibited by the Indian artists by doing exemplary painting work on palm leaf. Considering the small size of the palm leaves, the images drawn were comparatively small in size and colored as well. The intricate and detailed work involved in developing a miniature painting is worth great appreciation and value. Miniature Paintings gained prominence in the 11th and 12th century when people started developing manuscripts to store valuable knowledge using palm leaves. Some of the great miniature paintings gain inspiration from Ramayana, Mahabharata. Rajasthan has been the leading state with regards to Miniature painting. A stark difference between the Rajput and the Mughal miniature paintings is in the use of colors. While the Mughal school features muted colors, giving it a shadow and depth, the Rajasthan School uses bold primary colors which give the painting an abstract look.

Technique:

A high degree of expertise is required as it involves the use of a very fine brush. The strokes should be absolutely perfect as they should be intricate, colorful and rational impressions. The colors used CHERIAL FOLK PAINTINGS. One of the most distinctive features that makes cherial folk paintings stand apart, is the narrative format expressed through a rich scheme of colors.

Themes from the epics are created using traditional techniques on a scroll of cloth that may run to many meters in length. Cherial paintings or scroll paintings are used by a community known as ‘kaki padagollu’ that uses this medium as a visual aid to narrate stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata. Presently, the artists are painting sequences in smaller sizes not only on cloth but also on cardboard, plywood and paper.ture art are done on old or new hand made paper of very fine quality that depict Animals, Birds, Butterfly, Mughal themes and more. One can put these as wall hanging decorations

The technique for painting a pata chitra requires skill and dedication. The artist uses fine brushes made from the hair of a mongoose or rat or coarse brushes made from the buffalo’s neck. Keya plants were also used for drawing thick lines. It is created using a cotton cloth. The cloth piece is given a coating of gum that is derived from tamarind seeds. Another piece of cloth is given a coating of gum. On the front portion of the dried cloth, a layer of soap stone powder and tamarind paste mix is applied. Then, the canvas is burnished by rubbing coarse grain and polished stones.Once the cloth pieces dry, they are cut into the desired size and smoothened on both sides, which render a shine. The painting is then done on the surface by using colors that are derived from vegetables and minerals. Once completed, a protective lacquer glaze called Jausala is put on the painting.

There is incredible diversity and imaginative creativity found in Indian folk paintings especially the paintings from Rajasthan. Most famous paintings of Rajasthan are the Phad paintings. Phad paintings are beautiful specimen of the Indian cloth paintings originating from the royal state of Rajasthan. Phad paintings have their own styles and patterns and are very popular due to their vibrant colors and historic themes. Phad paintings are the colorful mosaic, depicting the valor of local famous heroes. Phad painting is an ancient form of folk painting that is basically a large painting on Khadi, which depicts the heroic deeds of a heroic figure, the daily life of painters and peasants, rural life, animals and birds, flora and fauna.

Phad painting is a type of scroll painting. These paintings are created using the rainbow of bright colors and subtle colors. The main themes of the Phad paintings depict the deities and their legends and the stories of erstwhile maharajas. These paintings are magnificent and its outlines are first drawn in block and then filled with colors. The paintings depicting exploits of local deities are often carried from place to place and are accompanied by traditional singers, who narrate the theme depicted on the scrolls. These paintings depict the lives of local heroes in folk style. For Phad painting, vibrant raw colors are used. Some of the unique features of Phad paintings are the bold lines and a two dimensional treatment of figures.

Thangka painting is a Nepalese art form that came down from Nepal to Tibet. Thangka paintings are essentially painted or embroidered Buddhist banner, which are hung in monastery or a family altar or even carried in ceremonial processions. They were also used by traveling monks who carried them from one monastery to another. In Tibetan language, Thang means flat and implies painting done on a flat surface. It is also known as scroll- painting as it can be rolled up when not displayed.

Thangka paintings can have multiple functions. The images of deities can be used as teaching tools while preaching of Buddha. They can describe the various historical events in the life of the Lamas and narrating mythological stories. These paintings use devotional images as the centerpiece in a ritual and prayers are offered to them. Most important aspect of Thangka Paintings is that all these paintings are hand painted by the dedicated artisans. The origin of Thangka painting lay in Indian religious art, and heavenly draws

inspiration from Nepalese, Chinese and Kashmiri styles. A Thangka is more than just a painting. It is an object of devotion, an aid to spiritual practice, and a bringer of blessings. Hanging a Thangka painting is considered auspicious and brings blessings on the household and serves as a constant reminder of the Buddha’s teachings of compassion, kindness and    wisdom.

Warli art is an ancient Indian folk art tradition of painting of a Maharashtrian tribe called Warli. Historians believe that the Warli tradition can be traced back to as far as the Neolithic period between 2,500 BC and 3,000 BC. It has since traveled across borders and territories. Home Décor products with Warli paintings have an international appeal and demand too.

The Warli paintings essentially depict the basic principals of life, which are the main theme or basis of any tribe. Their major designs include the harvest season, celebration, wedding, rituals and births. The trademark of Warli paintings is the use of geometric designs such as triangles circles, squares, dots and crooked lines are used to depict human figures, animal figures, houses, crops etc. Warli art is known for its monochromatic depictions that express the folk life of socio- religious customs, imaginations and beliefs. Predominately white color is used on a red earthen background. The technique to working on Warli art is as follows:

Choose a design. Trace the chosen design on the tracing paper. Then copy the design onto the cloth or paper using a carbon sheet. If it is a cloth, then use metallic colors and let it dry well. Iron on the reverse side of the cloth. If it is paper, then use poster colors and leave it to dry.