Volume : 2, Issue : 2, February - 2013

Tribal Art and Development: An Exploration of Pithora Art of Gujarat

Poonam Gandhi Moirangthem

Abstract :

Pithora art is a form of folk painting of tribes, residing in eastern Gujarat. It is highly ritualistic painting done by tribal people in order to invoke their God–Baba Pithora. The aim of this paper is to examine the changes revolving around Pithora art form. This study employs content analysis and is based on secondary sources such as books, journal articles, tribal literature and monographs. The main objectives of this study are to describe the ritualistic significance of this tribal art form; to discuss the changes that Pithora art has undergone; to locate the current status of this art form in the context of tribal development and to discuss the contributory factors responsible for change. The impact of changing society is visible in the themes of Pithora paintings. However need of the hour is to preserve their art and use it for the development of the tribes.