Mytr's Wikipedia of Art forms

 

Pattachitra Painting

Pattachitra, the native art form of Odisha, is known for its ornate designs and intricate details. It is branded as one of the oldest art forms of Odisha and mostly portrays characters and stories from Hindu mythology, especially from the tales of Jagannath. Derived from two Sanskrit words, patta which means canvas and chitra which means picture, Pattachitra paintings magnificently display a vibrant play of colours on canvas. This thousand year old folk art form still captures the attention of artists especially because of its use of natural colours.

Mural Painting

Historians say that mural art dates back to the prehistoric times and that this art form commenced since cave-people started drawing on cave walls. In India, mural paintings of Kerala need a special mention since this place was responsible for reviving and keeping this art form alive after it almost became extinct during British rule. Modern painters however have migrated this art from walls and plasters to quality canvas so that patrons (from all over the country) who are fond of folk art can embellish their décor with this unique art style.

Ajrakh Block Printing

Ajrakh is a unique block printing technique which has its roots in Pakistan’s Sindh and in Kutch’s Ajrakhpur. Known widely for its uniqueness in colors, which are made of entirely natural substances, its designs and its extensive sixteen steps process, Ajrakh is now considered a prestigious mark of Indian heritage. Having at least one outfit adorned with this ancient Indian print technique in your wardrobe is an absolute must and a matter of fashionable-pride.

Tikuli Art

Tikuli art, again, is said to be an art form of India’s ancient world, and thus is considered a great cultural asset for India. The Mauryan age is said to be its starting point but today, it is thriving in the regions of Bihar especially Patna. The art gets its name from ‘tikli’ also called ‘bindi’ in Hindi. The original Tikuli art used glass as its base and was decorated with golden foil and gems, but gradually it migrated to colorful hardboards.

Gond Art

Gond art, one of the most elaborated, elegant ancient painting styles of India, is thriving in the region of Madhya Pradesh. Practiced and protected by the Gond tribe, this art is the collective result of focused efforts, hours of hard work and vivid imagination. Nature and its close connection to humans have always been its core inspiration. Mythological characters also influence Gond painting.

Lippan Art

Lippan art, also known as Kutchi Lippan, is the majestic clay art of Gujarat’s Kutch region. The prime purpose of this art form was to decorate interior walls with a mixture of clay and camel dung, which used to keep interiors cool, but as ages advanced, this art evolved too. Today, exquisite wall murals of stunning designs created by renowned Lippan artisans are things of beauty that add splendor and glamour to home décor.

Alpona / Alpana

Not much is known about the history of Alpona, which is a traditional folk art of Bengal. Its name has been derived from the Sanskrit word ‘alimpan’ which means to plaster or coat. It uses a mixture of rice powder with water, which is then used to create beautiful designs with fingers. Yes, traditional alpona uses the technique of finger-painting. But nowadays, modern artists have notched it up by drawing colourful alpona on canvas and terracotta.

Kalighat Painting

Founded in the 19th century, Kalighat painting has evolved to form its own genre in the art world. Its USP’s lies in its display of bold colors and easy brushwork. Developed in the vicinity of Kalighat temple, one of the most captivating features of this painting is its essence of capturing characters and incidents from daily lives of common people. Renowned artists like Jamini Roy were highly influenced by Kalighat painting.

Tanjore Painting

Bright, bold and beautiful, Tanjore paintings are the epic, iconic, artistic compositions of South India. They bring with themselves the delicacy of designs, vividness of colors and shimmering beauty of gold foils which is their identifying trait. Like other Indian art forms, Tanjore painting draws inspiration from religious texts and cultural folklore. The best part is that this painting has a blend of multiple materials including gesso and glass beads.

Madhubani

Painting with a purpose, that’s what we call Madhubani because not only does it enclose historical tales, but has also played a key role in conservation of forests in Bihar during the deforestation that took place in 2012. Madhubani, with its five distinct styles and a Geographical Indication status, has crossed the boundaries of Bihar and spread its glory worldwide with its intense detailing and use of natural colors.

Meenakari

Meenakari painting is known for ornamenting surfaces with its distinctive motifs and dense, delicate designs created by heating and mixing colored, powdered glass on a substrate which can be metal, ceramics or glass. Unlike other art forms which developed their artistic style in India, Meenakari was originally the art form of Safavid Iran and was brought to Indian grounds via the Mughals. Meenakari artisans are known for their craftsmanship as it takes years of practice and mastery to make a perfect one.

Warli Art

Warli art form is often referred to as one of the classic examples of Indian folk art. Done chiefly by the Warli tribe of Maharashtra, designs of this painting revolve mainly around the marriage ceremony of God Palghat (explains why we see Warli paintings mostly with drums and dances). The credit behind the recognition and fame of Warli art goes to Jivya Soma Mashe. Its USP is the use of geometric patterns like triangles and circles which are held synonymous to different elements of nature.

Rogan Art

An art that fuses Persian style with Indian basics, Rogan art is an exquisite, magnificent printing technique that requires skill, artistic bent of mind, years and years of practice and of course immense patience. Done chiefly on cloths by mixing natural colors with castor oil (hence the name rogan which means oil in Persian), Rogan art has established its marvel as far as White House when PM Narendra Modi gifted President Obama two Rogan paintings.

Pottery

In India, pottery is considered to be one of the most eminent elements of Indian art. Starting from the most basic and conventional clay pots to the modern, sophisticated clay bottles, Indian potter has undergone crucial phases of evolution and has developed a plethora of distinguished styles under the rule of various dynasties. But among the array of styles, glazed pottery, unglazed pottery, terracotta and paper mache are the most noted ones.

Embroidery (Rajasthani)

Elaborated designs with colorful threads on premium quality fabrics, Rajasthani embroidery appeals to its users with its elegance and exuberance. Varieties of Rajasthani embroidery are numbered approximately around 40, but the ones that stand out are appliqué work, bead work, Mochi Bharat and Heer Bharat. Dazzling garments and accessories are handcrafted by engaging centuries-old skills which are an integral part of our imperial heritage.

 

        Ikkat 

Kat (which means bond in Indonesian) is a dyeing process used to pattern textiles that involves resist dyeing on the strands prior to dying and weaving the fabric.In ikkat, the resist is created by tightly wrapping individual yarns or bundles of threads in the desired pattern. After that, the yarns are coloured. This practice is centuries old and lives on in indigenous tribes.

 

       Pichhwai 

Pichhwai is a Sanskrit term in which 'pich' means back and 'wai' means hanging; Pichwai paintings are Mewar-style textile paintings that may be found hanging on the walls of temples, households, art galleries, and museums, particularly the Nathdwara temple, where they originally appeared.

 

       Kalamkari 

Kalamkari is a form of hand-painted or block-printed cotton cloth made in the Iranian city of Isfahan and the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Kalamkari is a twenty-three-step process that uses only natural colours.

 

       Puppet Making 

Puppets are one of Rajasthan's most well-known forms of entertainment. Puppetry is an art form done by a group of farm labourers in Rajasthan. These people, known as the Bhats, have been linked with Rajasthani string puppetry to continue their ancient occupation. Rajasthani string puppets are one-of-a-kind in their own right. These beautiful and colourful puppets are handcrafted from wood and linen.The puppets heads are crafted of wood and coloured to match the personalities they portray in the episodes.

       Khadi

Khadi is typically composed of cotton. It is sometimes referred to as khaddar. This fabric's unique feature is that it keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the winter, making it one of the best textiles to pick. Khadi may also be produced from silk and wool, and is known as Khadi silk and woollen Khadi.


       Kashidakari or Kasheeda

Darning stitch, stem stitch, satin stitch, and chain stitch are some of the stitches used in Kashida work. Kashida is made of cotton, wool, or silk in a range of colours including white, blue, yellow, purple, red, green, and black. Stitches may differ depending on the material to be embroidered. The needlework utilized has certain traits that set it apart from other types of embroidery in India.

       Suzwani Embroidery

Suzanis are often constructed of cotton and, in certain cases, silk. The design is sketched on the cotton first, then stitched using thin portable looms. They are typically manufactured in two or more sections, allowing them to be worked on by more than one person before being sewn together.

       Zardozi Embroidery

Zardozi is a form of Iranian needlework. Zardozi is derived from two Persian words: zar or zarin, which means gold and dozi, which means sewing; Zardozi is a heavy and intricate metal embroidery done on a silk, satin, or velvet fabric foundation. Designs are frequently made with gold and silver threads and might include pearls, beads, and precious stones. It is used to decorate a variety of items, including clothing, household fabrics, and animal trappings. Historically, it was used to embellish the walls of royal tents, scabbards, wall hangings, and regal elephant and horse
trappings.

      Dokra (Dhokara)

Dhokra is a nonferrous metal casting that was created using the lost-wax casting process. This type of metal casting has been utilised for for 4,000 years in India and is being used now. The dancing girl of Mohenjo-daro is one of the oldest known lost wax artifacts. Because of its basic simplicity, captivating folk themes, and strong shape, dhokra artists; products are in high demand in both local and international markets. The lost wax process has also been discovered in China, Egypt, Malaysia,Nigeria, Central America, and other areas for casting copper-based alloys.