In a heartwarming initiative, Sahayog Art Foundation recently organised a unique art session where children from tribal areas came together with children from urban areas to paint on umbrellas. Held in the Keltipada hamlet of Aarey Colony and guided by acclaimed artist Satyendra Rane, the children, aged 6 to 14 years, painted stunning Warli art on umbrellas, celebrating the onset of the monsoons. The vibrant display of creativity not only highlighted the rich cultural heritage of the Warli tribe, one of the largest in India, but also underscored the importance of preserving and promoting indigenous art forms.
Warli, as we all know, is a traditional art form from the Sahyadri range in Maharashtra that beautifully encapsulates the essence of nature and holds a significant place in India’s folk-art heritage. The beauty of Warli art lies in its simplicity, using basic geometric shapes such as triangles, circles, and squares.
The event, which saw participation from 35 kids, mostly tribal and a few urban kids, fostering cultural exchange and artistic expression, was graciously hosted by Pramila Bhoir and her son Akash at their residence, which serves as a cultural hub for the Aarey tribal community. Pramila is the wife of Prakash Bhoir, a fiery Adivasi activist and prominent figure in the tribal movement to save the Aarey Forest.
“Our initiative aims to preserve the rich Warli tradition, ensuring that the art form is passed down to the younger generation. By bringing together tribal and urban communities, and by including tribal traditions and voices in our lives, we hope to enrich our cultural landscape and promote inclusivity and mutual respect. Seeing the joy and pride on the children’s faces as they painted and took home their beautifully decorated umbrellas was truly rewarding,” shared Satyendra Rane.
The initiative was spearheaded by the non-profit organisations Sahayog Art Foundation and Alert Citizen Forum alongside Namya Gupta. Together, they have contributed to the development of rural communities, the education of tribal and underprivileged children, among other endeavours.
