5 Traditional Indian Arts You Can Learn with Rooftop

When was the last time you sat down with a notebook, a pen, and simply let your thoughts flow free into a canvas? In the hustle and bustle of life, it’s important to take a detour, step back, and engage in calming and recreational activities once a while. If you wish to try something other than stroking the paint brush and explore the vast realm of the fine arts, engaging in Indian folk art could just become your newfound hobby. As one of the world’s oldest art forms, Indian art forms are deeply rooted in history and have served as the epitome of our rich ethnicity, culture and diversity. The detailed complexities of the Indian fine arts are in contrast to the simple lives led by their artists. These art forms originating from indigenous places, have now gained worldwide recognition for their inherent nature. If you’ve been considering venturing into the traditional Indian folk art forms, here’s a list of 5 traditional Indian folk arts you can learn with the Rooftop’s arts courses. Whether you’re a teenager looking to dabble into new experiences or an adult who wants to cut off the noise with fine arts as your escape, these online art masterclasses are exactly what you need to help you venture into your creative pursuits!

Gond Art is a tribal art form rooted in the Gond community of Madhya Pradesh. Deeply intertwined with nature, folklore, and mythology; this art style is a visual storytelling medium that celebrates life in forests, that of birds, animals, trees, and even mythology and deities. While it was traditionally done on walls and floors with natural dyes and mud, it has now evolved onto paper and canvas using vibrant acrylics. A striking feature is the signature detailing of dots, dashes, and intricate lines that build remarkable patterns and textures. Practicing Gond art helps preserve indigenous culture while also encouraging mindfulness. It’s meditative, deeply connected to one’s surroundings, and propagates for a sustainable worldview. With Rooftop’s Venkat Raman Singh Shyam who has been practicing Gond art for over 4 decades and has harnessed an incredible amount of experience in the traditional art industry, you are sure to learn much more than just paint on a canvas from one of the best artists of Gond art form in the Gond art online course.

Hailing from the Mithila region of Bihar, Madhubani painting is an ancient art form historically practiced by women to adorn walls with these designs during festivals and rituals. Traditionally created using twigs and natural dyes, the style is characterized by intricate borders, bold geometric patterns, and mythological narratives. Its charm lies in its symbolic visuals - fish signify prosperity, peacocks symbolize love, and sun and moon denote time and divinity. At its heart, Madhubani paintings depict stories of the day-to-day lives, deities from epics, and are endowed with the natural elements like the sun, moon, and the tulsi plant. Over the years, Madhubani has transitioned from rural homes to global galleries, finding space on canvases, sarees, and stationery. The growing popularity of this art has empowered women, encouraged eco-friendly practices, and inspired countless new-age artists to delve into folk traditions. To shed more light on the know-hows of Madhubani paintings here at Rooftop is Padma Shri awardee Dulari Devi ji. With her prowess and nuance, you’d be sure to unleash your creativity and sink into this spiritual art form in this Madhubani art course.

Phad Art is a religious scroll painting art form of Rajasthan which is not just painted, but performed. These long scrolls, often made of cotton or silk, narrate tales of folk deities like Pabuji or Devnarayan and are traditionally painted by the Joshi community. Each scroll acts as a portable stage for Bhopas (priest-singers), who recount these tales with music and emotion under the moonlit sky. What’s fascinating is the interplay between visual and oral traditions wherein the painter and performer form an artistic duo, thereby breathing life into heritage. The paintings are densely customised with human figures, animals, and architecture, all rendered in earthy tones made from natural pigments. Every element has a role and the storytelling is expansive.

If you’re looking to blend practice and performance while learning an Indian an art form, the comprehensive Phad Art online masterclass with the National Award winning-artist Shri Kalyan Joshi ji is just the right stepping stone for you.

If you’re a layman in the world of art, you’d probably still be familiar with Warli art, an indigenous art style from the Warli tribe of Maharashtra, dating back to 2500 BCE. Minimalist yet expressive, it primarily uses white pigment made from rice paste on mud walls. The most striking feature is its use of basic geometric shapes - circles, triangles, and squares; to depict complex scenes of tribal life such as farming, festivals, hunting, and dancing. The "tarpa dance" motif - a community circle led by music, often becomes the centerpiece. Warli speaks of unity, ecological balance, and a deep-rooted sense of community. It's one of those rare art forms that expresses abundance using gravity. Today, Warli has championed the ideals of sustainable living and tribal resilience. Learn Warli art from Sadashiv Mhase, a third-generation artist, alongside Praveen and Vijay Mhase. Having lived and breathed this art form, the Mhase family comprises the quintessential people to learn this course from; which offers not just painting techniques, but cultural insights into a minimalist and meditative tradition. Start your journey of learning this art with our online Warli art course.

As the name suggests, this traditional art form from Kerala, is known for its vibrant and intricate frescoes decorated on the walls of ancient temples and palaces like Guruvayur and Padmanabhapuram. A majority of the Kerala mural paintings date between the 9th to 12th CE, wherein such a style was a favorite among the royal class. These mural paintings are rooted in 8th CE mythology, inspired by the tales of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The distinct feature of these murals is the expression of dramatic eyes, dynamic poses, and emotive detail. It isn’t just visual decor, it’s a spiritual practice that requires patience, precision, and reverence towards the art form. Known for reviving and innovating within the mural tradition, Sadanandan sir’s guidance through carving the bold strokes, bright colours and rich symbolism of Kerala Mural art will stay with you even beyond the course.

Whether you’re looking to unwind or simply reconnect with folk art, these art forms would offer more than just aesthetic joy. Our online Indian art courses help you nurture mindfulness, storytelling, and meaningful self-discoveries. Explore the world of Indian traditional arts with Rooftop and discover how creativity can enrich your life, with one art form at a time!