Painting of Maharashtra

Modern painting or contemporary painting, along with folk painting, lend variety to Painting of Maharashtra. Folk Painting of Maharashtra is popularly known as Chitaris. A painter is known in Marathi as Chitaris. Many chitaris got themselves settled in the city of Nagpur, owing to the patronage of the Bhonsale dynasty rulers. Primarily settled in Mahal areas of the city, their heirs are still found to be inhabiting Chitari Oli. Rural paintings are largely associated with festivals and occasions. These painters mainly make paintings of various deities during the different festivals celebrated all round the year, specially in the time of Ganapati festival. They often made use of clay, wood and paper to portray heir skills in painting. The Chitaris are also invited in marriages to make various artworks.

Painting of Maharashtra reveals the rich history and tradition of the state of Maharashtra. Paintings of gods and goddesses have a religious dimension to it, but they are mainly the proofs of the consummate skills of the painters of Maharashtra. Paintings as old as the BC period show how stong the foundation is for Painting of Maharashtra. Warli paintings are very ancient and are a part of the tribal society of Maharashtra. Modern paintings have acquire a special place in the social milieu of modern Maharashtrian society.