Warli: Stories of the Soil
15 Years of Earth Painting by Rachana Agarwal
An intimate exploration of how earth, cow-dung, and memory converge. Step through curated thematic walls observing the evolution of tribal symbols from village mud huts to modern high-end art sanctuaries.
The Cosmic Spiral: Tarpa & Seasonal Rhythms
The spiral is not simply a decorative geometry; it is the tribal universe unfolding. Men and women dance hand-in-hand without beginning or end, celebrating the winter paddy harvest.
Rhythm of the Tarpa
Rachana Agarwal, 2025
Medium: Purified natural cow-dung base, rice paste & natural earth pigments on moisture-resistant MDF board
Dimensions: 30 × 30 cm (11.8 × 11.8 in)
Edition: 1-of-1 Unique Original
The Tarpa dance is the philosophical heart of Warli tribal culture. Men and women entwine hands and move in an infinite spiral around the Tarpa player—a wind instrument crafted from dried gourd and bamboo. The spiral mirrors the movement of the sun, the cyclical nature of seasons, and the collective heartbeat of the village after the winter harvest.
The Ancestral Canopy: Trees as Spiritual Anchors
In folk consciousness, trees are sanctuaries that bridge the mortal soil with celestial birds. Painted using single-reed bamboo tools over sun-cured mud surfaces.
Tree of Ancestral Life
Rachana Agarwal, 2025
Medium: Purified natural cow-dung base, natural soot charcoal & terracotta pigment on moisture-resistant MDF
Dimensions: 45 × 60 cm (17.7 × 23.6 in)
Edition: 1-of-1 Unique Original
In traditional folk folklore, the sacred Mahua and Banyan trees bridge the underworld, mortal life, and the celestial sphere. In this piece, birds nest in interlocking branches while deer, monkeys, and farmers share the bounty of the shade. Painted using traditional single-hair bamboo reed brushes over sun-cured earth.
Community Harmony: Daily Ceremonies & Harvest
A panoramic monument to agricultural labor. Grain winnowing, village pathways, and bullock carts rendered in disciplined monochrome rice flour pigment.
Harvest Celebration Monochrome
Rachana Agarwal, 2025
Medium: Purified sun-dried cow dung base and white rice flour pigment on solid MDF board
Dimensions: 60 × 60 cm (23.6 × 23.6 in)
Edition: 1-of-1 Unique Original
A panoramic narrative of agricultural life in tribal Maharashtra. From the winnowing of grain to bullock carts returning under the crescent moon, this large-format painting captures community interconnectedness with rhythmic geometric repetition.
Exhibition Colophon
All featured works are singular 1-of-1 originals executed on moisture-resistant high-density MDF boards. Prepared with triple-purified cow-dung and mineral earth slip. Each original includes a registered Certificate of Authenticity signed by Rachana Agarwal.