Introduction
India has a copious treasure of different types of art forms and cultures. All these are visually enthralling and have a significant history of their own. The Indian art form is mainly an umbrella term that is used to signify the vivacious customs, art forms, culture, textiles, and systems of beliefs that have been passed down through generations.
Art is a creative measure of self-expression that allows an individual to put forward their emotions, beliefs, and value system in an aesthetically pleasing tangible form. Indian art forms are known for their detailed craftsmanship and beautifully capturing the essence of India. Introducing different types of Indian art forms to your kid can be a whirlwind journey for them. Every art form that you will come across will have a special story to tell. Hence, this art exploration journey requires a lot of patience and a nuanced perspective.
Different Indian Art Forms to Explore
Even a lifetime is not enough to explore all the regional art forms in India. However, here is a specifically curated list of famous Indian art forms that you can introduce to your kid.
Madhubani Painting
Madhubani painting is a quintessential Indian art form that belongs to Mithila, which is a region in Bihar. It is known for its contrasting patterns and is a confluence of different colors. Traditionally, Madhubani art is done by using naturally found mineral pigments. It was done on the walls of the houses to give them a more appealing look. These days, people do Madhubani painting on canvas, clothes, and even paper.
Kalamkari
Kalamkari art refers to a painting that is done with the help of a pen. It is believed that this art goes back to the time of Indian and Persian trade and has been practiced for more than 3000 years. It is highly popular in Andhra Pradesh and involves intricate hand painting with the help of natural colors from vegetable dyes. A Bamboo stick, which is pointed like a pen, is used to form the painting. Generally, the art denotes natural elements such as animals, birds, trees, and other floral patterns. Further, there are many branches of kalamkari, each of which caters to specific types of paintings.
Gond Painting
Gond painting or Gond art is a specific Indian classical art that is practiced by the Gond community of Madhya Pradesh. It is a very integral part of their culture and was started as a practice to decorate the walls of mud houses. Gond art uses a lot of elements from nature to make intricate design patterns. It signifies the symbiotic relationship between animals and human beings as well as fables that have been passed down through generations. The colors are generally made from natural sources, such as soil, flowers, leaves, and cow dung.
Saura Art
Saura Art is another famous Indian classical art that originates from Orissa. It is practiced by the regional Saura tribe. This art form depicts paintings of humans, animals, the sun, and the moon. The motive behind these paintings is to draw off the evil eye and appease the gods. This art form is characterized by a specific elegant style of painting that is also very ritualistic.
Kalighat Painting
The Kalighat style art originates from West Bengal and thrived in the 19th century. It stands out because of its unique usage of colors of gods and other figures of religious significance. Jamini Roy is believed to be one of the most inspirational Kalighat painters who contributed massively to the craft. The later versions of the painting also included the then social and political issues. In its true form, the Kalighat style is also reliant on the usage of natural colors made from Indigo, rice powder, turmeric, and other such materials.
Tips To Introduce Indian Art to Your Kid
Here are some captivating tips to introduce your child to Indian art forms.
Research With Them
The first step towards exploration starts with introducing your kid to the specific art and letting them know about the history and the cultural significance of that particular art form. You may use the internet and refer to many books to know more about that particular Indian art form. Also, simplify the research for them by putting together the necessary information in one place. Take the support of videos and movies to amplify the learning.
Let Them Choose
Introduce different types of art forms to your kids, and after that, let them decide what they like the best. There is an array of Indian art forms that your child can explore and practice. However, at the end of the day, they decide to choose one out of the many and pursue it further. You should let them decide based on their calling and interest.
Professional Training
After your kid has decided what particular Indian art form they would like to practice, you may enroll them into a proper art class that teaches the decided Indian classical art form professionally. Learning of Indian art forms is not an impossible process. However, it is very important to have the right kind of guidance and teacher to have the best experience.
Practice With Them
Try to bring all the necessary supplies of the art form that your kid is interested in practicing and try to paint at home. Accompany your child in the painting process and encourage them to do things on their own. This will enhance their confidence and increase their desire to participate more enthusiastically.
Conclusion
There is a plethora of Indian traditional art forms for kids to explore. Trying to know everything at a time might be a bit overwhelming for the kid. Hence, the parents need to standardize the process and slowly introduce one art form at a time to their child. Let your child explore all these traditional art forms on their own before deciding what they like to do the best. Then be a part of their journey and try to be as supportive as possible.
References
https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/kalighat-painting#slideshow=4207388&slide=0
https://www.artalivegallery.com/blog/10-beautiful-traditional-indian-art-forms-you-must-know-about/
https://rooftopapp.com/blogs/introduce-traditional-indian-art-to-your-kid
The views expressed are that of the expert alone.
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