Warli Tribal Mural
The Warli art mural that greets you as you enter Cumin Indian Fusion was painted by Yajan's mother, Rekha Upadhyaya. Yajan chose the Warli art because anyone can "read" the story and also to express the fusion of modern and ancient cultures.
Warli paintings are unlike other folk paintings of India, which consist of bold colors and tell elaborate stories. The origin of the Warli tribe can be traced as early as the tenth century AD. The Warli tribe lives on the border of the Maharashtra region of India, and has a population of about 300,000.
Warli art is known for its simple and unique depiction of daily life. Warli myths, folk songs and folklore are passed down through their paintings. The colors represent the earth and limestone that ancient Warlis used. The Warli's white paint was made from rice and no brushes were used, just sticks.
The figures and stories tell no particular story, but of daily village and family routines. There is a bit of whimsy in the mural, with children's toys, talking birds, and a ferris wheel. The Ferris wheel represents the cycle of life. The mural is lively and tranquil at the same time.