MANDANA (WALL ART, TRIBAL FOLK ART)

MANDANA (WALL ART, TRIBAL FOLK ART)

Tribal art is the living proof that a traditional or folk artist is at par with the modern urban counterpart. They are equally creative and imaginative as the designers of urban communities.

Mandana is a tribal, folk art originated in some districts of Madhya Pradesh in India. Over time with the migration of communities, this art has taken several forms in the other states of the country. Marked as the beginning of social and religious functions, this art is revolving in the lives of Indian communities. 

I first saw this form in Ahmedabad, where this art is created on the outer walls of fence of a house having some auspicious celebration specially marriage ceremonies.

Originally the artist used to white wash the wall with lime mixture “khariya” and draws the motifs with red colour stone “geru”. 

Now days, various patterns have emerged. While covering this art, the artist chose to colour the wall in red and motifs in golden oil paint. Sometimes the finished product is again decorated with small circular mirrors glued with mud.

The motifs commonly drawn are called “ Varghodo” or the marriage procession where the boy’s family arrives the bride’s house.

The craze of this art form is somewhere decreasing due to availability of various texture paints. People living in flats or apartments don’t have fence walls for this traditional art.