Empowering Brands: Indian Art in Marketing and Branding
Indian traditional art has the potential to boost economic growth as well as enhance the creative economy through the commercial space.
Rooftop – Where India Inspires Creativity
Indian traditional art has the potential to boost economic growth as well as enhance the creative economy through the commercial space.
Everyone knows what Warli art looks like, but few know the exact significance of its motifs. To truly ‘know’ Warli art, we must indulge in the stories of the Warli community. What we consider merely artistic symbols or motifs represent generations of cultural beliefs and spiritual practices that make up the Warli identity. As we explore the Panchasiriya motif, let us also gain a deeper understanding of Warli art itself.
The vibrant city of New Delhi played host to a spectacular showcase of artistic brilliance at the India Art Fair 2024, and Team Rooftop was there to witness the magic unfold. As we navigated through the myriad of exhibits and galleries, it was heartening to see the traditional art forms take centre stage, preserving the rich cultural tapestry that defines India’s artistic heritage.
Art transcends rules and boundaries and refuses to be confined to a limited worldview. Anything can be art, and this is undoubtedly true for folk and tribal art forms. Tribal art forms are extremely imaginative and feature elements like symbolism and surrealism.
Have you ever seen a painting that is so replete with soulfulness that you cannot look away? Spirituality and symbolism feature in many Indian art forms, which makes them not just aesthetically pleasing but also a means of devotion. Art forms such as Mata ni Pachedi and Pichwai are an important part of worship rituals and are considered sacred. Pithora painting is another art form that links themes of divinity with artistic expression. The result is a panorama of motifs that are used to weave narratives of human and divine origin.
As a kid, you might have dreamed of becoming an artist when you grew up. But if you ever told your relatives you wanted to study art, you would get the response, ‘Beta, you’ll starve. Following your dreams isn’t that easy’. Art is no longer a dreamer’s profession, but not anymore. Now artists know that they need to turn passion into profit. Mere ‘appreciation’ and ‘exposure’ as payment doesn’t satisfy them. The demand for Indian art has increased, and so has the value of Indian artwork.
The list of books on Gond Art that we have curated for you, captures the voice of the artists themselves. We cannot separate the artists from their social connectivity and subjectivity within their community. These books acknowledge the importance of art in the life of an artist who is rooted in community and tradition.
India is a land of diversity, replete with multi-cultural communities, rich customs, and elaborate traditions. Almost every community came to express its unique perceptions and rituals through visual art forms. Through the passage of time, society developed, and factors such as religion, geography, politics, economic conditions, and social norms all moulded the communal perceptions of art. This led to the development of many Indian folk and tribal art forms, each with distinct styles, motifs, and legacies.
Mandana art, a captivating folk art from the regions of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh in India, holds deep cultural and symbolic significance. It is often associated with the Meena community, but its practice extends to various rural areas as well.
When you think of the tribal art of Maharashtra, you inevitably think of Warli painting. Its commercial success has put Indian tribal art on the global map. But did you know that another style of tribal painting also originated in Maharashtra? Chitrakathi is a 400-year-old art form that began as a visual aid for the performing arts and evolved into a distinct art form.