PALGHAR

Warli art is an ancient and indigenous form of art that is tied to the Warli community in North Sahyadri range. The Warlis are an indigenous group who can be found across many regions of Maharashtra (Dahanu, Talasari, Jawhar, Palghar and Mokhada) and even Gujarat. Their art form is characterized by its monochromatic style, where white pigment, made from rice flour mixed with water, is applied onto a red ochre or reddish-brown background. The surface is traditionally prepared using cow dung powder and ‘geru,’ a natural clay. Members of the community typically use wooden sticks to paint directly onto the walls of clay huts. They depict daily life, farming activities, animals, and natural elements in simple geometric shapes. Traditionally, Warli art is created by women and is often linked with rituals and celebrations.

Ancient in origin (some date them back to the 10th century AD or earlier), Warli art features a central motif called “chauk,” surrounded by scenes of hunting, fishing, farming, trees, and village dances (often drawn from elements of nature), especially the tarpa dance, where people move in circles around a trumpet-like instrument. Figures are usually stylized as two joined triangles, cleverly showing body balance and distinguishing men from women by the triangle size. Warli community often use their clay huts as the backdrop for their paintings. One of the central aspects depicted in many Warli paintings is the tarpa dance. 

Warli art is widely practiced in Palghar district, where the Warli community forms a significant part of the population. The art is traditionally created on the walls of their homes and depicts scenes from daily life, rituals, and festivals. Some paintings are created for specific occasions, such as Lagna Chowk and Dev Chowk, which are only painted during weddings or auspicious events.

Warli art has been practiced within the community for generations; however, it is said to have gained broader attention in the 1970s. Artists from the district, including those from nearby Thane, are often credited with raising the profile of the tradition during this time. Among them, Jivya Soma Mashe is frequently associated with bringing Warli painting beyond the village and into public view, both in India and internationally.

Warli Painting is valued as traditional knowledge and cultural heritage passed down through generations. Efforts continue to strengthen the Warli community’s economy through social entrepreneurship and initiatives that help artists earn a sustainable livelihood.

The Tarpa dance, named after the wind instrument that accompanies it, is a significant cultural tradition among indigenous communities in Palghar. The Tarpa instrument is crafted over five days using dried pumpkin, leaves, and bamboo sticks.

During performances, a senior village member plays the Tarpa while men and women join hands and dance in a circle around the musician, often continuing for hours with minimal breaks. The choreography features simple steps, primarily footwork and rhythmic clapping.

The Dahanu Festival is a vibrant annual celebration held in Dahanu, Maharashtra, typically at Seaview Park along Dahanu Beach. It spotlights local culture, heritage, agriculture, eco-tourism, and the town’s famed chikoo (sapodilla) orchards. The festival’s mission is to uplift the local community, stimulate the economy, and showcase Dahanu’s natural beauty and traditional art forms.​

Activities include horse beach racing, water sports, stargazing, night camping, chikoo farm tours, pottery and Warli painting workshops, explorations of local fisherman villages, and cultural performances.​ Over 200 stalls offer local handicrafts, farm produce, and regional cuisine, involving self-help groups and entrepreneurs.​ Visitors enjoy free admission, with programs like sustainability workshops, art exhibits, children’s activities, sand art, and folk dance.​

The festival celebrates Dahanu’s legacy as ‘Dhenu Gram’ (“Village of Cows”) and highlights its transformation into a “Fourth Mumbai”—an emerging tourism and growth hub.​ It attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, helping local artists and farmers reach new audiences and helping boost the regional economy.​

With an emphasis on ecology, the festival offers workshops and activities designed to promote environmental consciousness and sustainable living.​ The Dahanu Festival is an inviting blend of arts, adventure, heritage, and eco-tourism, welcoming cultural enthusiasts, families, and adventure seekers to experience the spirit of Dahanu on the scenic Maharashtra coast.

Padukas Artisans was established in 2014 by the Om Gagangiri Maharaj Ashirwadit Trust. The workshop began as a response to the demand for local employment, especially among indigenous women with experience in traditional crafts. Over time, the workshop expanded to include both women and men, offering training in a range of crafts using locally known techniques.

Crafts produced by Padukas Artisans include patchwork quilting, Warli painting, basket making, fabric jewelry, and toy making. In early 2020, the organization received Craftmark India verification for its patchwork and Warli painting for meeting national standards for Indian handicrafts.

Jivya Soma Mashe (1934–2018) was a painter known for his work in the Warli art tradition. He is regarded as a central figure in bringing Warli painting into public spaces beyond its customary use. Mashe began painting in the 1960s, drawing on the formal vocabulary of Warli art, which includes geometric motifs applied with rice paste on earthen surfaces. He was among the first artists to translate this practice onto paper and canvas, making the work accessible outside its original context.

In 1973, his work was exhibited at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, during an event organised by the Indian Handloom Board to present folk and tribal art. His work was subsequently shown in exhibitions in India and abroad. Mashe received several awards, including the National Award for Tribal Art in 1976, the Shilp Guru award in 2002, the Prince Claus Award in 2009, and the Padma Shri in 2011.

Shanta Gokhale (born 1939) is a writer, translator, theater critic, and cultural historian who writes in Marathi and English. She is known for her contributions to literature, theatre, and the study of contemporary cultural practices in India, and more specifically, Maharashtra.

Her novels include Rita Welinkar (1992) and Tya Varshi (2008), both originally written in Marathi. She has translated works of Marathi authors into English, including plays and short stories. Gokhale has written extensively on theatre, contributing as a critic and historian of the performing arts. She has also written columns in Indian newspapers and periodicals. In 2015, Gokhale received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for her contribution to theatre criticism.