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A traditional ritual in the central and western parts of India now recognized as a distinct art form. Pithora paintings, generally drawn on house walls for good omen, from Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat are a window to the rich culture of the indigenous tribes of India.
Pithora Art: Where every painting tells a different story
In a world where the pages of literature and academia offer evidence of history and culture, paintings are the work of artists who say a thousand words without uttering even a single word. Pithora paintings, which are painted in green, yellow, red, and blue on a white background, depict the social, cultural, and religious lives of tribes such as the Rathwa, Bhils, and Bhilala. The paintings are still being drawn in central and western India, including Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. One of the most popular locations where the art is still practiced is in Alirajpur district in western Madhya Pradesh. Pithora paintings can be traced back thousands of years as rock or cave paintings. Pithora, like many other wall paintings, is painted on the house walls by the tribal community. It is important to note that these paintings are more of a ritual than a form of art. This is not to say that they do not reflect artistic ability but rather that they are motivated by a long-held tradition. Tribal communities associated with pithora paintings, such as Rathwa, create these paintings for good omen. In order to win a boon from the deities, the paintings are usually done on the front and main walls of the house. Pithora is also the name of the Rathwa tribe's primary deity. The paintings are sometimes drawn on the orders of the community's head priest, known as 'Bhadwa.' This is done to obtain the Pithora baba's blessings and to ward off any existing evil. One of the most distinguishing characteristics of pithora paintings is that no two are alike, and they are all painted with the artists' colourful thoughts, which are influenced by their day-to-day activities and socio-cultural environment.
The first step in creating a pithora painting is to cover the walls with cow dung and then whitewash them with chuna. This is known as Lipai, and it is traditionally performed by unmarried girls. Men do all of the work associated with the drawing of the painting, and women generally do not participate. It is not too far-fetched to conclude that pithora art is a man's art. After preparing the white wall as the canvas for the painting, the artists begin illustrating their imagination, which is the central feature of the pithora paintings. The figures in the illustration consist of celestial beings such as a horse, the sun, and the moon. Furthermore, pithora paintings are well-known for their realism, with the artists depicting daily activities, festive occasions, and wedding ceremonies in the paintings. These paintings offer a creative peek into the rich and traditional lives of the tribal communities involved with the art. In the first half of the painting, the majority of the pithoras depict the image of Ganesha in the left hand corner. Ganesha, also known as Ganesha Baba, is considered the father figure in the pithora tradition. The paintings' intricate borders, which are a beautiful blend of radiant colours such as red, green, blue, orange, and pink, are another feature. These paintings on the wall, drawn on a white background, are like a life drawn on nature's canvas. They beautifully preserve the tribal communities of Rathwa, Bhils, and Bhilala ancient traditions, mythological stories, and religious beliefs. Pithora paintings, which started as a ritual now capture the essence of artistic capabilities and imagination of tribal communities.
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