India's Tribal Paintings

• 19 Mar 2026

Source: PIB 

Why in News? 

The Tribes Art Fest 2026, organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, featured over 75 tribal artists showcasing more than 30 distinct tribal art traditions, particularly tribal paintings across India. 

What are the Various Tribal Paintings Practised Across India? 

Tribal Paintings	State	Key Features	Technique/Style	Themes
Warli Painting (Received GI tag in 2014)	Maharashtra (Sahyadri Range)	One of the oldest tribal art forms, known for simple geometric figures (circle, triangle, square) representing sun/moon, mountains, and humans.	Painted on red ochre mud walls using white rice-flour paste mixed with water.	Depicts social life such as hunting, fishing, farming, and the Tarpa dance, rather than mythological themes.
Gond Paintings  (Received GI tag in 2023)	Madhya Pradesh	Known for intricate dots and lines that create movement and detailed patterns.	Traditionally used charcoal, colored soil, and plant sap; modern versions use vibrant colors.	Focuses on nature, including the Tree of Life, animals, plants, and spirits from Gond mythology.
Pithora Paintings (Received GI tag in 2021)	Gujarat & Madhya Pradesh	A ritualistic painting tradition practiced by Rathwa and Bhil tribes; horses are mandatory, especially the horse of Baba Pithora.	Traditionally painted by men called Lakhara, often accompanied by songs and chants during the ritual.	More of a ritual than an art form. Created to thank deities or fulfill wishes.
Saura Paintings (Received GI tag in 2024)	Odisha	Geometric human figures similar to Warli but more elongated, usually with decorative borders.	Saura wall paintings are called italons or ikons. Practised by the Saura tribe.	Dedicated to Idital (main deity); depicts village life, sun, moon, animals, and rituals.
Sohrai Paintings (Received GI tag in 2020)	Jharkhand	Colorful mural art practiced mainly by tribal women.	Uses natural earth colors painted on walls.	Celebrates harvest, cattle, and agricultural prosperity, featuring animal motifs.
Khobar Paintings (Received GI tag in 2020)	Jharkhand	Matrimonial mural art used to decorate the bridal chamber.	Uses a comb-cut technique where layers of colored earth are applied and scraped to reveal patterns.	Associated with marriage rituals and fertility symbolism.
Bhil Art	Madhya Pradesh & Rajasthan	Recognized by large, uneven dots, with each artist having a unique dot pattern.	Created using bright colors and dotted patterns to form images.	Depicts tribal myths, legends, and storytelling landscapes (Galo).
Mandana Paintings	Rajasthan & Madhya Pradesh	Ritualistic folk art practiced by the Meena community, especially during festivals and religious occasions.	Women prepare a base of red clay and cow dung on walls or floors and paint symmetrical designs with white lime (Kharia) using date-twig or cotton brushes.	Features geometric patterns, peacocks, nature motifs, and the footprints of Goddess Lakshmi (Paglya), symbolizing prosperity and welcoming deities.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

1. What is Warli painting and where is it practiced? 
Warli painting is a tribal art form from Maharashtra’s Sahyadri region, known for simple geometric figures depicting daily life and painted with rice-flour paste on mud walls. 

2. Which tribal painting tradition mandates the depiction of horses? 
Pithora painting, practiced by the Rathwa and Bhil tribes of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, requires the depiction of the horse of Baba Pithora, reflecting its ritual significance. 

3. How are Sohrai and Khovar paintings different? 
Sohrai art celebrates harvest and cattle, while Khovar art is a matrimonial mural tradition decorating the bridal chamber, often using a comb-cut technique. 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)  

Q. The well-known painting “Bani Thani” belongs to the (2018)

(a) Bundi school   

(b) Jaipur school  

(c) Kangra school   

(d) Kishangarh school  

Ans: (d)

Q. The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is one of the most famous and oft-illustrated paintings at (2017)

(a) Ajanta   

(b) Badami  

(c) Bagh   

(d) Ellora  

Ans: (a)

Q. Kalamkari painting refers to (2015) 

(a) a hand-painted cotton textile in South India  

(b) a handmade drawing on bamboo handicrafts in North-East India  

(c) a block-painted woollen cloth in Western Himalayan region of India  

(d) a hand-painted decorative silk cloth in North Western India  

Ans: (a)