Indian art and culture are very fascinating. To know the rich history of India one should dive deep to discover the roots of its cultural heritage. Various types of art forms are prevalent in India which are incredible. Kurumba painting is one such art form that is very unique in style. Kurumba painting is a very old traditional art form that originated in the Nilgiri hills of Tamil Nadu. 

HISTORY AND ORIGIN OF KURUMBA PAINTING:

This ancient tribal art form is believed to be 3000 years old. This art form was practiced by the KURUMBA tribe mainly traced in the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. The socio-religious fabric is expressed through the Kurumba art. The male priests or caretakers of the temple used to practice this art form in the villages and the women of the family used to decorate the doors and windows with beautiful borders and KOLAMS on the floor. The outer walls of the doors and windows of the temples and houses were used as canvases for drawing. 

THEMES AND PATTERNS OF KURUMBA PAINTING:

The figure motives painted represented the Gods of the Kurumba tribe. The themes are the expressions of the beliefs of Kurumba men and the achievements of the tribe and their villages. Also, religious rituals, harvest festivals, honey hunting escapades, social gatherings, women drying food grains, wooden huts, and wild animals wandering in the forests were other major themes. The style is very simple and the figure motifs are drawn with lines. The basic elements required for this art form are lines, dots, independent and concentric, and simple geometric figures. The depiction of the natural environment is seen less in the paintings.

The colours are made from natural sources like green colour obtained from the green leaves, red and white colour is made from soil and the black is derived from the bark of the trees. The colour is filled on the cow-dung-coated walls with the help of a piece of cloth. This process was mainly practiced in the ancient days. But at present, the walls are coated with plaster after which the painting begins.

Moreover, nowadays the process has been revived by changing the focus on paper from the rock surfaces, temples, and walls. The traditional version has been updated with modern techniques and unique styles. Various types of water colours are used which make the paintings more attractive and brighter. The day-to-day activities of the Kurumbas are portrayed through this painting. 

RENOWNED ARTISTS OF KURUMBA PAINTING:

Krishnan of Velaricombai village in Tamil Nadu is an efficient painter with unique techniques. He is very popular in his place. He is genuinely trying to preserve this dying art form. Another artist P Balasubramanian has been practicing this art form for the past 24 years. 

Both the painters are teaching this art form to keep it alive. Krishna at present is a renowned artist travelling throughout the world conducting workshops and selling his work. C P Ramaswami Aiyar Foundation deserves a special mention as it has contributed in bringing out this art form into the limelight.

CURRENT SCENARIO: 


The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) at present helps the Kurumba tribes in various ways. They are helping these tribals by improving the conditions of their livelihood and conducting multiple workshops so that they can learn the art properly. They are also trying to encourage the young generation to learn this style which is very unique and also offers a stipend. They are also providing training sessions to enrich the students about the Kurumba art. Moreover, various types of online platforms like ARTSofINDIA.in promote such art forms and the artists of India related to this art form through their websites.


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