TerraKlay Bird Artwork

The tribal rudimentary art of the warlis, uses a circle, a triangle and a square. The circle and triangle come from their observation of nature, the circle representing the sun and the moon, the triangle derived from mountains and pointed trees. Only the square seems to obey a different logic and seems to be a human invention, indicating a sacred enclosure or a piece of land. Human and animal bodies are represented by two triangles joined at the tip; the upper triangle depicts the trunk and the lower triangle the pelvis. Their precarious equilibrium symbolizes the balance of the universe. This distinct style depicts the everyday life of the people keeping in mind the humans and nature share the same space and the peaceful coexistence. This artwork, denotes the good omen from their spiritual gods of good times to come. The local may translate this event of circling birds as a sign to sow the seeds for an abundant crop, name a child or proclaim a marriage. This highlights the Warli tribal philosophies and culture.

The artist Mantu Chitrakar hails from Noya, Midnapore, in West Bengal. At a young age he began patua painting and singing in the nearby villages to earn a living for himself and his family. He has exhibited and demonstrated in India as well as abroad. In 2007 he exhibited at the International Folk Art Convention at the Nek Chand's Rock Garden in Chandigarh as well as at the Learning Department of the National Museum in Liverpool, UK. His works are at the private collection of American artist and art patron Scott Rothstein, Ann Oppenhimer - President of the Folk Arts Society of America, Dr Stephen Huyler and at the Museum of Visionary Art, Baltimore, USA and National Museums, Liverpool, UK. He continues to exhibit his works internationally and nationally.
This Pat' or painting is the art from the State of West Bengal. The image of a cat with black and orange spots on a yellow or white body and with a bird or fish in its mouth has been interpreted as a satire on the hypocrisy of some religious priests who were Vaishnavas (devotee of Lord Vishnu) and who professed to be vegetarians but in fact ate meat and fish in private.