Art and culture goes hand in hand together. It will not be inappropriate to put it this way that art is the soul of any culture. Any culture without its art form is hard to imagine. Whether it be the ancient Chinese culture or exotic indian culture, each of these celebrate an artistic history. The variety of art and craft are somewhat inspired by their natural surroundings and climatic conditions.
Diverting to "Mandana art" or "Mandana paintings" is a well cherished form of art inherited by the Meena tribe belonging to the regions of eastern rajasthan and madhya pradesh of India. The people of this tribe have conserved the culture well with time. This particular skill is not an individual's job rather it takes the effort of the whole group predominently of women of the meena tribe.
The topics chosen for these paintings are closely in association with the everyday life. Events, festivals and social themes are well crafted on the mud walls of the villages. If observed finely a messege is always for the taking in these artifacts. Paintings of animals is also a common practice.
The basic material used to make these creations is rice flour. But it has changed with time. Also different forms and themes have been derived depending on the occasion and piece of background. The mordern day artist are well inspired by this traditional culture. From large hanging paintings to small card board paintings mandana art is leaving its traces everywhere. Some common types of manadana art are mandana rangoli, manadana wall paintings, mandana floor paintings, mandana card board paintings etc.
Some mandana card board paintings i made can be seen in the images. The basic skill is to draw the mandana designs with a cone stuffed with rice flour or whatever material artist is comfortable is. Commonly a white colour material is used.
The next blog will be about handmade wall clocks based on the mandana art theme. Hope you like my paintings.
