India is extremely rich in its cultural heritage. The rural sector of India has contributed vastly to its art and crafts. Indian folk art paintings deserve a special mention here, as each state has developed its own style and approach to art, which further enriches India's vast ethnic diversity.
Featured in this simple, yet beautiful, folk art painting, is a picture of three women Vaishnavites, also called Vaishnavis. Vaishnavites are those who are devoted to Vishnu and his incarnations. Those devoted exclusively Shiva are called Shaivaites.
Vaishnavites wear a unique long tilak (mark on the forehead) which extends right till the middle of the nose. The Vaishnavis seen here have the traditional tilak, along with their everyday kumkum (vermillion). They are decked up in traditional jewelry, including ornate earrings and a huge, round nose ring each. Having their ghundhats (veils) demurely pulled over their heads, they are a picture of piety and serenity.
India is extremely rich in its cultural heritage. The rural sector of India has contributed vastly to its art and crafts. Indian folk art paintings deserve a special mention here, as each state has developed its own style and approach to art, which further enriches India's vast ethnic diversity. Featured in this simple, yet beautiful, folk art painting, is a picture of three women Vaishnavites, also called Vaishnavis. Vaishnavites are those who are devoted to Vishnu and his incarnations. Those devoted exclusively Shiva are called Shaivaites. Vaishnavites wear a unique long tilak (mark on the forehead) which extends right till the middle of the nose. The Vaishnavis seen here have the traditional tilak, along with their everyday kumkum (vermillion). They are decked up in traditional jewelry, including ornate earrings and a huge, round nose ring each. Having their ghundhats (veils) demurely pulled over their heads, they are a picture of piety and serenity.)
