Workshops On Different Ecological Artforms Hosted By Rajasthan Studio

Rajasthan Studio is a leading art platform that provides curated art and travel experiences. Learning without doing stands futile. Our workshops not only teach you but also make you self-reliant to apply your learning. From Fine Arts to Folk Art to Modern Art, we try to bring out the best of it.  Our Virtual Workshops focus on co-creating while our Masterclass Workshops can make your travel bucket list more cherish-able ! Masterclass Workshop includes learning and experiencing the artforms from Master Artists, some of them are even Padma-Shri awardees. Markedly, you have an opportunity to learn from their work studio itself. We believe that art and sustainability should go hand in hand. Ecological and traditional artforms predominant most of our art workshops.

Why are Ecological Artforms important?

Don’t feel you for Mother Nature? The drastic climate change, the increase in carbon emissions, melting of glaciers, the plastic trauma or the extinction of rare species evidently calls out for eco-consciousness. Daily and small steps towards sustainable living can make a huge difference. As a community let’s continue our artistic passion and skills towards promoting more sustainable and ecological artforms. We host workshops based on traditional and ecological art forms.

Some of the many artforms….

Here are some traditionally ecological artforms. Let’s see what links the world of art and ecology !

1. Warli
2. Gond
3. Aipan
4. Eco-friendly crafts

1. Warli Art

Warli Tribal Community which resides in Mumbai and Dang district of Gujarat  practices The Warli Art.  Warlis do not use any tracing sheets or rough drawings; they just have a good story in mind.The main themes of these paintings are weddings, Lord Palghat and Mother Nature. Major paintings portray Mother Nature and elements of Nature. 

Circle represents the  moon and the sun while the triangle represents mountains.The central motif in each ritual painting is known as the chaukat or chauk. Additionally, Tarpa dance is a popular sketch work too. There are mainly 5 types of Warli Paintings- Chawk Warli Painting, Harvest Warli Painting, Modern Warli Painting, Ritual Painting and Dev Chawk Warli Painting.

The composition of mud and clay is an ideal base to paint on. White pigment is a mixture of gum or rice paste and water used to make outlines. Bamboo sticks are traditional brushes. Earth and red brick make a red ochre background for the  painting. Lastly, Tamarind seed powder, indigo and heena act as sticking agent

Previously Warli art was done on walls. Now, Warli prints are useful to design contemporary objects like bedsheets, cushion covers, scarves, kurtas, kurtis, T-shirts, coffee mugs, flower vases, files, trays, keyholders etc. 

2. Gond Art

The word Gond is derived from the word Kond which means green mountains. Gond tribe resides in areas with low carbon footprint areas or the  deep interiors and forests of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha. Additionally, they also reside in the hilly regions of the Deccan Peninsular Plateau i.e. mainly in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. The purpose of motifs showcase the  love for nature and quest for life and also the purpose of the art is – ‘Good image begets good luck’.

Without a doubt, expressing their gratitude towards Mother Nature, major motifs are – animals, birds, trees, crows, peacocks, elephants etc. Mahua tree is a significant and life-giving tree for Gond. Secondly, festivals shown in the art are Ashtami, Karwachauth, Deepawali,Naag panchami, Ahoi, Sanjhi, animals and humans pursuing their daily activities. The tribe has their own gods. They also paint the  stories and mythological episodes of these gods. Local deities include  Phulvari Devi or Kankali Devi (Goddess Kali), Jalharin Devi (River Goddess), Marahi Devi, etc.

Markedly, one can see patterns of stripes, dashes, dots, scales and also curved lines which adds to the detailing and uniqueness.        

• Colour – Source
• Black – Charcoal
• Yellow – Ramraj Soil
• White – Chui Soil
• Light Green – Cow dung
• Dark Green – Bean Leaves
• Red – Geru Soil

3.Aipan Art

Aipan is a ritualistic folk art which originated in Kumaon hills (Uttarakhand). Previously, rich Brahamin women hailing from rich families decorated their houses with Aipan art on auspicious occasions. This artform symbolizes good luck, fertility and protection from evil.

The main designs are for worshiping Hindu goddesses. As a result, Saraswati Chowki, Chamunda Hast Chowki, Nav Durga Chowki, Jyoti Patta, Durga Thapa and Lakshmi Yantra. Ganesh Chaurthi, Maha Shivratri, Diwali, Makar Sanskarti and  Lakshmi Pujan are festive times for doing Aipan Art.

Markedly, Aipan art has special relation with Math and is geometrically accurate. Aipan comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Lipana’ which means to plaster. Wet ochre mud or geru forms a smooth base for the art. Bivsar, a rice paste prepared by soaking cooked rice in water. Generally, the use of fingers over brush is popular in this art. Modern day adhesive floor stickers of Aipan art is very popular.

4. Eco-friendly crafts and Gardening

Lastly, apart from traditional folk and tribal art, we hosted eco-friendly craft festive workshops. Eco-friendly Rakhi-Making workshop was about using  woolen thread, fabric and shells to make  Rakhis for Raksha Bandhan. Also, eco friendly  Ganesha Idol Making worskshop emphasized on the use of clay or Mitti over harmful Plaster of Paris (POP).  Gardening has become difficult in this fast paced life due to lack of time and space. Hence, finding a solution to this issue, we conducted the Japanese Kokedama Workshop, The Art of Home Gardening and Miniature Home Gardening. The gardening techniques are absolutely budget friendly, easy to maintain and require less space. Of course! An important source of oxygenation too. 

Read: Do you know- Rajasthan is a land of Painting Schools?

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