Floor & Wall Decoration

Pichwais are a ritual art form, meaning that they are offerings to the deities, especially Hindu Gods and Goddesses. They are brilliant color paintings that adorn the walls of the temples of Rajasthan. The use of rich and vibrant colors provides the Pichwais a distinctive quality that sets it apart from other paintings of the state. These paintings enhance the aesthetic appeal of the temples they grace. The themes revolve around the Lord Sri Krishna in the form of Srinathji. Various episodes of Srinathji such as the raas-leela etc.

Legendary and Puranic myths connected with rituals and ceremonies used to be painted on the walls of rooms for the places of ritual and ceremonial activities. The common practice is now of printing of big sheets of paper known as Pata. The subjects or themes of the Pata paintings done in red or multi colour, are Jev-Matrika, Shri Krishna Janmashtami, Lakshmi and Durga. In every ceremony Jev-Matrika and Ganesh are invariably worshipped. For this, the three Jev-Matrika along with Ganesh are painted.

There are two traditions of wall painting-one for the kitchen and the other for the ritual ceremonial places. Twice in a year the wall are re plastered with a mix of cow-dung and mud. They are then painted red with geru (ochre) and motifs are drawn with fingers, using rice paste. The kitchen walls have motifs of Nata, Chatu and Lakshmi Narayan. The Nata patterns consists of cereal saplings in a row enclosed by a rectangular frameworks done in dots. The motif symbolizes prosperity for the family and unity among kith and kin. The design just structure on raised platform.

Wall painting is an important aspect of Rajasthan’s life. Wall paintings form part of the religious rituals. On Holi and Diwali days etc. figures of goddesses are drawn on the walls of the households. Besides, the windows and doors are decorated beautifully with floral and traditional motifs in herbal dyes. The women of the household create these exquisite wall paintings. This tradition is accentuated on occasions such as weddings and childbirth festivities. These are known as Mandana. In fact the wall painting samples unearthed in Kalibangan and Peelibanga in Rajasthan date back to the prehistoric times of the Harappan Civilization.

Kolam refers to decorative artwork drawn on the floor in front of houses and in front of deities in Puja rooms. Kolam is considered as an important form of artistic expression in India. Undoubtedly, Kolam can be called a most essential part of South Indian culture and it serves to embellish the doorstep and make it look more inviting. Moreover, it is a symbol of good fortune. The Tamil month 'Markazhi' (mid December to mid January) is particularly important month for Kolams, when fairly large sized Kolams are put in front of the houses.

The womenfolk of Kumaon have played a major role in perpetuating the traditions of folk art. The style of painting is locally known as Aipan. Using their nimble fingers and palms, the Kumaoni women have not only preserved the memories of past events and the styles, designs etc., but also have given expressions to their own ideas and concepts on aesthetic values. During ceremonies and festivals the women set themselves to decorating the floor and walls of their houses with designs and patterns. The floor paintings are usually associated with some ritualistic figures.

The folk art of Orissa is bound up with its social and religious activities. In the month of Margasira, women folk worship the goddess Lakshmi. It is the harvest season when grain is thrashed and stored. During this auspicious occasion, the mud walls and floors are decorated with murals in white rice paste or 'Pithau'. They are called "Jhoti" or "Chita" and are drawn not merely with the intention of decorating the house, but to establish a relationship between the mystical and the material, thus being highly symbolical and meaningful.

Gujarat has a very rich heritage of art & crafts. The excavations at the Harappan sites in Gujarat at Lothal, Rangpur, Rozdi etc. have brought to light some of the very ancient handicraft articles.

Traditional wall paintings of the State is associated with rituals. Floors and walls are painted with colours and in almost every instance the depiction being associated with some ritual. Pithora paintings is a common traditional art form. These paintings originated in the tribal area of the Central India which is presently Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and depicts the offering to gods. These paintings are usually done on the occasion of marriages, childbirth and other occasions of fulfillment of wish etc.