Pithora Paintings - tribal art of India

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The tribal people of central Gujarat / Madhya Pradesh , India Rathwas / Bhils / Nayaks perform this art form.The Rathwas have a distinct cultural heritage and an attractive historical background. They imitate the upper caste of Tadagis in their way of life. The forest on which they depend for their livelihood is considered very sacred for them. Family is the primary importance of this tribe and they practice arranged marriages, though clan exogamy is also performed. Their fundamental aesthetics is obvious in their peculiarly done mud hits, which are ornamented with colorful Pithora paintings. The ancient tribe of Bhils too practices this art with careful diligence.

Pithora Painting can be termed a ritual rather than that an art as it is “performed” to express gratitude to the God or a wish for a grant of a boon. A complete acceptance of this ritual will call for a narrative- the chief priest of the community called Badwa. The problems occurred in a family are narrated to the Badwa who finds out solutions, which nearly at all times involves the painting of Pithoras on the walls of the home. The Pithora Baba is well thought-out to be the supreme deity of the community whose presence is considered to be the resolution of all the problems. Though the first wall of the house is considered to be the right place but also Pithora is often taken as a three-wall affair. The first wall and the other two walls are prepared for the painting for which the walls are plastered with mud along with cow dung by the unmarried girls and then coats of chalk powder is applied and this process is called lipna making ground for the painters proceed with their work.

Fascinatingly the world of Pithora Painting, unlike that of Warli and Madhubani Paintings, is a male dominated one.The colorful images of Pithora Paintings signify the advent of auspicious occasions like childbirth weddings and other festivals in the family or community. The art form, which fundamentally conveys the joy and festivity of a community, has to reflect the combined mood of it. Pithora paintings with their colors and animated figures mirror the sentiment of the creators.

The actual meaning of a Pithora painting lies in its earthiness. The whole thing starting from subject matter to execution has the traditions of Rural India. Even the uses of materials for the purpose are just exotic. Preparation of the colors is done by the blend of pigments with liquor along with extracted milk from the auspicious Madhua tree. Certainly the enthusiasm of the community could not have found a more appropriate mean of expression.