Warli Art: Craft in the Age of Consumption

In our modern contemporary world today that is driven and shaped by fast fashion that runs out soon, many Indian crafts and artworks continue to survive through not only preserving techniques but also preserving histories, belief systems, and regional identities. Warli art is one of the many Indian crafts that continue to stand as something that shows that art was for meaning, not markets. Warli art dates back over 2,000 years and originates from the Warli tribe of Maharashtra. It has been practised and worked by women, being made originally for the community and for storytelling/representation of the culture. These paintings were created by using white pigment that came from rice paste, which was applied on a red-brown mud wall with geometric shapes (circles, triangles, lines). Currently the core tribal hubs of Warli art in Maharashtra reside in the North Sahyadri range where the Warli tribe resides and continues their prestigious tradition.

These artworks would consist of scenes of farming, hunting, dancing, or god/nature. One of the most famous dances was the tarpa dance, where people dance in a circle, from children to adults. This would symbolize unity, equality, and the cycle of life. Traditionally, it was used to paint on interior and exterior surfaces of homes and created as a community practice; this form was also used as entertainment, by storytelling about their cultural identity. But today, it is printed/hand-painted on clothes, used as decor for murals, homes, stationery, or even branding, and has adapted to digital illustrations and educational material to make people aware of the art and its use. 

Today, Warli artists are transforming a practice into a livelihood while ensuring the cultural identity is intact. However, with the rapid modern urbanisation in Maharashtra, Warli art is declining as many young people from Warli communities move to cities for education and employment, resulting in fewer people learning and continuing the tradition. Additionally, low and irregular income from the art makes it difficult for artists to sustain it as a long-term livelihood. Therefore, preserving and empowering Warli art is essential to ensure that this living tradition continues to reflect the culture, identity, and history of its rich community.

Written By: Ahana Singh

Edited By; Aryana Barai