Strokes of Heritage: Exploring the Diverse Paintings of India on World Art Day

As the world celebrates World Art Day on April 15th, it’s a perfect moment to dive into India’s vivid tapestry of traditional paintings each style echoing centuries of cultural richness, regional identity, and spiritual depth. From intricate tribal forms to majestic courtly depictions, Indian art is not just a visual treat but a storytelling medium rooted in heritage. Let’s take a colorful tour across the country through its most iconic painting styles.

1. Madhubani (Bihar)

Madhubani art is characterized by geometric patterns, natural dyes, and depictions of deities, flora, and fauna. Traditionally painted on walls and floors, this style has now found expression on canvas, paper, and fabric, often showcasing themes of love, mythology, and nature.

2. Pattachitra (Odisha and West Bengal)

Pattachitra, literally meaning ‘cloth painting,’ is known for its intricate details and mythological narratives. These paintings are created using natural colors and showcase stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, often featuring Lord Jagannath.

3. Warli (Maharashtra)

Minimalistic yet powerful, Warli paintings use white pigment made from rice paste on mud walls. This tribal art form celebrates daily life—farming, dancing, animals, and community rituals—through symbolic stick figures and repetitive patterns.

4. Kalamkari (Andhra Pradesh & Telangana)

Kalamkari combines "kalam" (pen) and "kari" (craftsmanship). Using a bamboo pen and vegetable dyes, artists paint mythological stories and temple scenes on cloth. There are two styles: Machilipatnam (block-printed) and Srikalahasti (hand-painted).

5. Miniature Paintings (Rajasthan, Mughal, Pahari, etc.)

These paintings are renowned for their precision, fine brushwork, and use of gold and stone colors. Mughal miniatures depicted courtly life and battles, while Rajasthani and Pahari styles focus on folklore, Krishna tales, and royal grandeur.

6. Gond (Madhya Pradesh)

The Gond tribe's art is vivid and full of movement, representing the belief that “seeing a good image begets good luck.” With dots and dashes filling animal and nature motifs, Gond art has evolved into a contemporary folk expression.

7. Phad (Rajasthan)

Phad paintings are large scrolls that depict the life of local deities and heroes like Pabuji and Devnarayan. Painted with bright colors and bold lines, these scrolls are traditionally used in storytelling performances.

8. Tanjore (Tamil Nadu)

Rich and ornate, Tanjore paintings are created with gesso work and embellished with gold leaf and glass beads. These religious artworks mostly portray Hindu gods, particularly Lord Krishna, in regal and divine poses.

9. Cheriyal Scrolls (Telangana)

These are narrative scrolls painted on cloth, once used by traditional storytellers to depict village tales, epics, and folklore. Bright colors, stylized figures, and continuous storytelling make them visually and culturally compelling.

10. Kerala Murals (Kerala)

Kerala murals are a magnificent blend of devotion, color, and classical aesthetics. Painted on the walls of temples and palaces, these artworks use natural pigments and feature Hindu gods and goddesses in majestic poses. The intricate detailing, earthy tones, and rhythmic flow of figures reflect the deep spiritual and philosophical essence of Kerala’s cultural ethos.