Sacred trees in traditional Indian arts

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By Zeel Sundhani

  • India
  • Folk Art
  • Art
  • Painting

    • Table of Content

    सृष्टि देवो शिल्पम् तस्या प्रतिकृती मानूष शिल्पम् । - Nature is the art of God, human art is, but its imitation,

    There are various traditions under Indian art, but one thing is very clear, that Indian art is heavily inspired by nature. We can see many examples of the same, right from the time of the Indus Valley Civilisation, where seals depicted different animals like tigers, trees, etc. The Bodhi tree, which holds a very important place in Buddhist mythology, is depicted in sculptures at Bharhut, Sanchi, Mathura and Amravati stupas. Tree spirits called Gandharvas and Apsaras also form a major part of Indian Iconography. Just like the description of natural settings enhances the beauty of literature, like Kalidasa’s plays, it is also portrayed in art.

     Following are a few examples of some important trees and their depictions in Indian traditional, folk and tribal arts.

    Kadamba

    Kadamba (a sea-side Indian Oak), botanically known as the Anthocephalus cadamba, is a fast growing tree that bears yellow flowers and orange, fleshy fruits. It is held very important in Indian traditional medicine or Vrikshayurveda, due to its various healing abilities. Apart from that, the Kadamba tree holds significance in Indian mythology, with it being a significant part of the Krishna Leela. There is a story which talks about Krishna playing on the banks of River Yamuna with his friends, when his ball falls into the river, which is poisoned by the snake Kaliya. To retrieve the ball, Krishna climbs the Kadamba tree and then jumps into the river.

    Many traditional forms of paintings also depict Radha and Krishna under the Kadamba tree, surrounded by cows, peacocks, sitting together on a swing or surrounded by gopis. 

     

    Melody of Radha and Krishna:Kalighat painting by Hasir Chitrakar
    Melody of Radha and Krishna:Kalighat painting by Hasir Chitrakar

     

    Madhubani paintings, a folk art form originating from Bihar, are done using natural colors and a fine brush. In those Madhubani paintings, in which Krishna’s stories are depicted, along with the Yamuna river, various animals and birds like peacocks, cows, birds, monkeys, the Govardhan Parvat, and a variety of trees, especially the Kadamba tree. The love of Radha and Krishna is depicted in the below painting. 

     

    Madhubani painting of Radha and Krishna’s Tender Love by Priti Karn

     

    Kalamkari paintings, a folk art originating from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, derive their name from the word ‘kalam,’ which means pen, referring to a particular, intricate style of hand-painting onto cloth.The below painting depicts Krishna, with his consort Radha, under the Kadamba tree.

     

    Radha Krishna in Madhubani Painting by Vibhuti Nath

     

    Pattachitra paintings, a form of folk art originating from West Bengal and Odisha, are made on a very unique canvas of cotton cloth (Patta), layered with tamarind paste and then a layer of clay to make the base sturdy. Then, without any prior sketching, they are painted using natural colors. These paintings depict various Hindu gods and goddesses, and their stories. The Pattachitra painting below depicts  Radha and Krishna under the Kadamba tree, and the beautiful and serene Yamuna river in the background with blooming lotuses.

     

    Radha Krishna: Pattachitra painting by Gitanjali Das

     

    Banyan tree

    The name 'banyan' is derived from the baniya merchant caste, who used to rest under these trees to discuss their transactions and plans in ancient India. In miniature paintings, the banyan tree is often featured in scenes of devotion, spiritual mysticism, and asceticism.

    It is depicted in the beautiful Sanjhi Paintings below. Sanjhi Art, a folk art form from Mathura, is a  unique craft form that features exquisite designs and intricate picture motifs, cut into paper. Craftsmen use specially designed scissors to accomplish this process. It developed in the 16th- 17th century CE, when it was used to decorate temple floors and walls. It is called sanjhi because of the time of the day it is associated with, sandhya or dusk.

     

    Sacred Silhouette: Ashutosh Verma's Banyan Tree Sanjhi

     

    Pichwai painting is a 400 year folk old art form originating from Rajasthan. Pich means back and wai means hanging, thus, these paintings are used as a backdrop of the idol of Shrinathji, a seven year old form of Krishna. They constitute many elements, including various trees, villagers, animals, gopis, musicians, various depictions of Krishna, etc. The below Picchwai painting shows a herd of cows resting under the Banyan tree, possibly waiting for Krishna. When put as the backdrop of a Shrinathji idol, it gives an effect that Krishna is standing in front of the herd of cows under the Banyan tree.

     

    Pichwai Cows under a Banyan tree in Pichwai by Shehzaad Ali Sherani

     

    Kerala murals, as a folk art from, are known for their beauty, clarity, and linear accuracy. They use 5 traditional colors - red, yellow, green, black, and blue, made from plants and minerals; and other materials  including plaster made from lime and sand, coconut water, neem and turmeric. They traditionally used brushes made from animal hair. The process involves carefully preparing the wall surface before applying the colors in a specific sequence of yellow, red, green, and black. The earliest murals date back to the 8th century and were found on rocks and in temples depicting mythology. The Kerala mural depicts a colorful and vibrant Banyan tree in a forest, surrounded by other colorful flowers and plants.

     

    The Banyan tree in Kerala Mural by Adarsh

     

    Phad painting is a folk art that originated 700 years ago in Shahpura, Rajasthan. This form of art is done on large pieces of cloth called phads, that are painted with stories and unfolded at night during performances by a bhopa and bhopi. The paintings depict local legends and epics using natural pigments like minerals, weathered metals, and pulverized stones. The below Phad painting depicts a Banyan tree, surrounded by other plants, exhibiting its massive form and shade, standing out like the king of the forest.

     

    Roots of Serenity: Enigmatic Banyan Tree, Phad Painting by Kalyan Joshi

     

    Jogi art, originating from Chittorgarh in Rajasthan, is a folk art form started by the Jogi family, a couple who were nomadic bards and sang devotional folk songs as a form of livelihood. These Jogi paintings are a visual representation of their songs. The below Jogi painting shows a village scene, where the people of the community are gathered under the shade of the Banyan tree, having tea, talking, resting, women holding a kid, embroidering, etc. It also depicts a variety of birds and squirrels that reside in and around the tree.

     

    Under the Banyan Tree in Jogi Art by Govind Bhai Bharthri

     

    The Banyan tree is also called the tree of life, and is a very popular theme in Indian traditional, tribal and folk arts like Madhubani, Warli, Gond, Phad, Rogan, Kalamkari, etc. Read these blogs to know more about the tree of life and its significance in Indian art.

    Peepal

    The sacred Peepal tree (Ficus religiosa) is known for its spiritual significance and medicinal properties in various cultures, particularly in India. Its significance is very evident in its recurrent depictions in Indian art.

    The Mughal style of miniature painting was responsible for the amalgamation of indigenous themes and styles along with Persian and later European themes and styles. This exquisite Mughal miniature painting of a solitary peepal tree, beautifully captures the essence and vibrancy of nature through the depiction of a lush, verdant tree. The wordings on the painting describe the beauty of the peepal tree, with its colorful and fragrant flowers, which capture one’s heart and make one happy.

     

    Peepal Tree In Mughal Miniature by Mohan Prajapati

     

    The peepal tree, known as the Bodhi tree, holds immense significance in Buddhism as Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment under it. The tikuli art form is a very unique form of painting, originating from Bihar, done using dots (tikuli) as main elements. The depiction of Lord Buddha meditating beneath the peepal leaves signifies his pivotal moment in Buddhist history when Gautama overcame suffering and gained deep insight into the nature of reality. 

     

    Lord Buddha under peepal leaves in Tikuli painting by Ashok Kumar

     

    Gond art refers to the paintings of Pardhan Gonds, the indigenous people living near Madhya Pradesh in Central India. Gond art is characterised by the mythical as well as folklore motifs passed down among them, floral as well as faunal motifs, and the patterned designs delicately filling each motif. The below paintings depict the peepal tree, deeply revered in Gond culture, stands as a symbol of life, spirituality, and the interconnectedness of all living things, acting as a home to various creatures including birds and small animals.

     

    Blooming Peepal Tree:Gond Painting by Venkat Shyam

     

    Resplendent Peepal Tree: God Painting by Venkat Shyam

     

    Mango and Banana

    The mango fruit is widely consumed and used in traditional Indian cuisine and is also considered a symbol of love and friendship. Additionally, mango leaves are used in various Hindu rituals and ceremonies, and the tree is believed to be a symbol of fertility and prosperity.

    This beautiful Cheriyal wall plate portrays a man and woman collecting mangoes offering viewers a captivating glimpse into the heart of rural India. The meticulous detailing of the couple's attire and the intricate patterns adorning the plate showcase the art form's dedication to preserving the folk art of Cheriyal scroll painting from Telangana, done using natural dyes to make colors like red, blues, yellow, and greens.

     

    Harvesting Mangoes in Cheriyal Wall Plates by Sai Kiran

     

    The below traditional Madhubani painting depicts a unique rendition of Radha and Krishna’s love, where they are shown plucking mangoes from a mango tree.

     

     


    A Madhubani Love Tale by Vibhuti Nath

     

    This harmonious folk art of Kishangarh painting from Rajasthan depicts Basanti, one of the five consorts of Raga Shri, who has braided her beautiful locks with peacock feathers and wears a fragrant necklace of mango tree blossoms.


    Shri Raag Ki Ragini - Basanti, Kishangarh Art by Shehzaad Ali Sherani

     

    The below Picchwai paintings put forth striking depictions with banana, mango and Kadamba trees, along with serene images of Shrinathji in his various leelas and shringars, depicting him at various parts of the day - mangala, shringara, gwala, rajbhoga, uthapana, bhog, aarti, shayan. It also depicts various deities in heaven, the celestial sky, peacocks, lotuses, cows, gopis, the sun and moon, forest and other elements related to Shrinathji. These also depict the festivals of Sharad Poornima, or full moon night and Gopasthami (a festival dedicated to cows) and the corresponding celebrations.

     

    Peacock Raas in Pichwai by Shehzaad Ali Sherani

     

    Sharad Poornima Pichwai by Shehzaad Ali Sherani

     

    Gopashtami in Pichwai by Shehzaad Ali Sherani

     

    Shrinathji in forest in Pichwai by Shehzaad Ali Sherani

     

    Sharad Purnima in Pichwai by Shehzaad Ali Sherani

     

    The below Picchwai shows Krishna in a tribhanga posture, grazing cows, with banana trees shown in the background, along with lotuses and peacocks.

     

    Krishna: The Cowherd Pichwai by Shehzaad Ali Sherani

     

    The Parijaat tree, Mango tree, Banana tree, Banyan tree, Ashoka tree, etc. have been depicted extensively in miniature painting. Check out this blog for more detailed information about the same.

     

    Bibliography-

     

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