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Mandana Art : Delineated by Geometry, Nature and Religion

Picture of Sagarika
Sagarika
I am a research enthusiast driven by a passion for connecting the dots and bringing interdisciplinary approaches to the study of art and history. My work is rooted in the belief that knowledge is happiness, and I strive to explore and share the rich narratives embedded within artforms. Using diverse methodologies, I seek to uncover the stories that often remain hidden, giving voice to the overlooked and underrepresented. This journey is not just about understanding art; it’s about bringing it to the forefront for better recognition and building a Subaltern perspective that redefines our understanding of cultural histories.

The term Mandana has been derived from a Sanskrit word Mandan which means to decorate. The Mandana art is an aesthetic endeavor practiced in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. It is a century old tradition that transforms the walls and the floors of the homes of the Meena tribe into a vivid canvas filled with intricate patterns and motifs. Rooted in their cultural identity, this art form binds itself with spiritual practices, celebrations and everyday life.

Mandana art is mainly composed of vibrant motifs showcasing nature and mythology while reflecting upon the spirits of rural community. This art form is primarily practiced by women as a way to beautify their homes and to invoke divine blessings. It is a tradition that has been handed down from mothers to their daughters. The designs are traditionally painted on mud walls and floors using natural materials and serves multiple purposes from occasions like weddings, festivals to believing it to protect household from evil spirits.

Historians have traced Mandana art rooted to the vedic period when geometric patterns and religious symbols were used to decorate the altars and homes. Ancient texts like Rig Veda and Atharva Veda refers to symbolic diagrams similar to Mandana design. The Mughal influences introduced floral motifs and refined geometric designs that further enriched Mandana arts’s repertoire. The Rajput influence integrated to create a sphere for legends and narrative motifs. Historian B.D. Chattopadhyay has noted a significant regional cultural syncretism that Mandana art reflects with a blend of indigenous traditions and external influences. The adaptability has allowed Mandana art to move beyond it’s ritualistic roots, reaching global audiences while retaining its traditional essence.

 

Motifs : Style and Significance 

The motifs in Mandana art carry a deep cultural and spiritual significance reflecting upon the beliefs and the values system of the Meena community. These designs are not merely decorative but functions as prayers, protection and representation of their harmony. The key motifs are –

  • Geometric pattern: The foundational element of the Mandana art is the geometric patterns that are made using shapes like triangles, squares and circles. The triangles represent balance and stability while the square symbolises order and earth and the circle symbolises a universal symbol of wholeness, continuity and a cyclic life. The interconnected design create a weave of the cosmic energy in the art.
  • Sacred symbol: There are a variety of secret symbols than are depicted in Mandana art; for instance Swastika symbol is frequently used to invoke blessing and prosperity and its symbolises good fortune too. Kalash represents abundance, priority and it is included mainly in the paintings that portray wedding or other festivals. Footprints of goddess like Lakshmi is drawn to invite wealth and prosperity in the house. This ornamentation is done specially during Diwali or any other festivals along with the designs resembling alters lamps and other ritual items are included the signified devotion.

  • Floral Motifs: The floral patterns being an integral part of art forms highlight fertility, renewal and abundance of nature. A common floral motif is lotus that represents religious significance intertwined with culture of Hinduism. It portrays purity, spiritual awakening and divine blessing, being associated with deities like Laxmi and Saraswati it also reflects upon beauty and prosperity.
  • Animal Motifs: A significant usage of animal motives are present in indigenous art forms. As John Berger calls it the “the oldest subject in art”. Animals like peacock, elephant, cows, birds and other wild animals and pet animals are depicted in the paintings of Mandana art. Peacock symbolises beauty, grace and divine protection while bringing auspiciousness. Elephants represents strength, wisdom and prosperity and they are also associated with lord Ganesha as the remover of obstacles. The cow is considered to be sacred in the Hindu culture and symbolises fertility and abundance and consumption of cowmilk and practice of agriculture were a part of the Meena lifestyle. Birds like parrots and doves are created in the paintings too as a symbol of harmony and communication as a work as messengers.
  • Nature Inspired Motifs : Different kind of indigenous trees and foliage are used to symbolise community’s close relation with the environment and its dependency upon it. Celestial motifs like moon and sun are created to represent balance, continuity and the relation with time.

 

Techniques and tools : Then and Now

The first step to make a Mandana art is to prepare the surface which is usually a wall or a floor made of mud or clay. It is cleaned and then leveled with cow dung. The prepared surface is then allowed to dry. Women of the Meena tribe then shade the pattern and make the drawings free handed to ensure the fluidity in this style. The design is often layered with intricate patterns.

Traditionally the colour palette was limited to white and red. The white was derived from calcium carbonate or lime, diluted with the paintable consistency while the red came from ocre mixed with water. These natural colours are eco friendly and sustainable but now it is done differently. The artists use acrylic paints to make a vibrant effect and the medium of the art is usually paper, canvas or textile. However consistent practice of the technique overtime is necessary to master the strokes and the detailing of the geometric patterns. This quality has been passed through generations.

The most traditional tool to make Mandana art was the artist’s fingers. Women used to make precise and intricate patterns ensuring a detailed connection in the artwork using their fingers. They also used twigs or sticks to make the fine lines and details dipping into the natural colour and filling the outer lines. With time they started incorporating small pieces of cloth or cotton balls for filling in larger areas with colours. With the evolution of bamboo brushes, versatile blends made a striking change in the patterns by making the strokes of wearing thickness. Earlier they also prepared natural colours and stored it in small earthen pots or bowls that were easy to handle and maintain during the painting process. Now different types of synthetic brushes are used for the designs.

With time the traditional techniques have evolved and the artists have adapted new durable methods to create commercial pieces. The bright colours and patterns have brought engagement of this artform in graphic design and textile, creating stable economic networks.

 

Regional Variation and its Significance

One of the most striking features of Mandana art is the regional variation of Mandana art between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

  • The Madhya Pradesh Mandana Art emphasizes on natural themes like motifs of trees, flowers, wildlife like tigers and deers while Rajasthani Mandana Art focuses on geometric patterns mainly along with animal motifs such a peacock, camels and elephants. This distinction showcases the regional diversity of the states and the beliefs of the community.
  • The Madhya Pradesh Mandana Art is more celebratory and ritualistic based where they commonly showcase festivals, harvest, marriages while the Rajasthani Mandana Art incorporates religious symbols more.
  • The Mandana art of Madhya Pradesh have a relatively bold and spontaneous way of story telling connecting with the agricultural life while the Rajasthani Mandana Art focuses more on details, symmetry and the spiritual ethos.

In the New Era

With urbanization the decline in rural lifestyle and new found urban ideas have created a stark gap in the practice of Mandana art as the houses are constructed differently now than earlier which does not cater to the idea of wall painting. Another challenge is for the migration of the local Meena tribes into different regions where they have slowly started losing that traditional ties.

Initiative of Government and NGOs who have created workshops and documentation and promotion of the art to ensure that it is past on to the younger generation. Contemporary artist have tried to blend in the new era by bringing the art in the galleries, exhibition and online platform. They also inspire the youth of their community to join hands to preserve this cultural heritage.

The diverse variation of Manana art reflects upon the rich cultural tapestry of history of the region. It is the evolution of a distinct wall art to a global craft that highlights Mandana art’s adaptability and timeless appeal.

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