Published on 12 Oct 2025
Folk painting captures the cultural expressions of a particular group of people through pictorial representation, showcasing unique traditions and artistic practices inherent to that specific culture, subculture, or community. India, being a land of diverse cultures, has many regional folk paintings with the features of a few being listed below
Base: Most of these folk paintings were initially painted on mud-coated walls and clothes.
Later many of them got shifted to handmade paper.
Example: Patua paintings of West Bengal
On the other hand, many folk paintings still continue to be done on walls.
Example: Pithora painting by Bhil community of Madhya Pradesh.
Themes
Religious: Most explored subjects revolve around religion and gods prevalent in the region, mostly the Vaishnava, Shiva or Shakti cult.
Example: The Pattachitra painting of Dasabatara Patti in West Bengal displays 10 incarnations of Vishnu
Social: Themes also covered social activities and festivities
Example: Warli painting of Maharashtra depicts scenes of fishing, farming and village life.
Historical: Later paintings evolved to explore more secular themes having historical and cultural relevance.
Example: Kalighat painting of Rani Lakshmibai in West Bengal.
Use of symbols
Patterns: Certain paintings used geometric patterns and symbols which created better order and symmetry in the painting
Example: Caukat of Warli painting which consists of many geometric shapes.
Animal figures: Paintings also use symbols of animals for conveying things in an artistic manner
Example: The use of fish in Madhubani painting indicates fertility.
Influence from other major painting schools
Persian: Incorporation of better facial features, dressing styles, symbols and motifs could be seen in folk paintings.
Example: The Machilipatnam style of Kalamkari painting had a Persian influence.
Western: The themes of the paintings were also influenced by other styles resulting in the creation of interesting subjects.
Example: Western influence in Kalighat paintings resulted in works like Hindu gods wearing shoes.
Painting techniques
Use of natural colours extracted from minerals and plants
Example: Saura paintings of Odisha.
Some paintings were well disciplined as they were created following certain rules and restrictions.
Example: Panchamukhi painting of the Pattachitra group.
Use of shading in paintings to create a three-dimensional effect
Example: Kalighat paintings of West Bengal
Use of special instruments to enhance the quality of painting.
Example: Srikalahasthi painting relied on brushes made of bamboo to paint.
History & Culture
Folk and scroll paintings with their significance
folk painting
Patua paintings
Pithora painting
Bhil community
Vaishnava
Shiva
Shakti cult
Pattachitra painting
Dasabatara Patti
Warli painting
Kalighat painting
Caukat of Warli painting
Madhubani painting
Machilipatnam style of Kalamkari painting
Saura paintings of Odisha
Panchamukhi painting
Kalighat paintings
Srikalahasthi painting
General Studies Paper 1
Art and Architecture