Kaavi Art
Folk Painting
History
Kaavi art, a 600-year-old mural tradition from Goa, uses maroon-red pigment from laterite soil etched onto lime-treated surfaces. Featuring nature and Hindu mythology, it adorned temples, homes, and churches. Spread during Portuguese rule to Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Kerala, Kaavi art reflects Goa’s cultural richness, blending local materials with sacred and decorative motifs.
Raw Materials and Tools
Kaavi art uses natural materials like laterite soil for pigment, seashells for lime plaster, jaggery for binding, and river sand for texture. The mixture ferments before application, ensuring durability. Artists use timber compasses, stencils, steel bodkins, and trowels for intricate carvings. The etching technique reveals a white background beneath the maroon-red pigment, creating contrast.
Process
Kaavi art begins with fermenting seashell lime, jaggery, and sand for two weeks to create a strong, weather-resistant base. The final Kaavi layer, made from sieved laterite soil and lime putty, is ground into a paste and fermented for two days. Artists then apply this layer and immediately etch intricate patterns using steel bodkins and trowels. The exposed white plaster beneath contrasts with the red pigment, forming detailed murals that depict religious and cultural themes.
Design and Color
Kaavi art features mythological figures, geometric patterns, and contemporary scenes. Depictions include gods, Brahmins performing rituals, dancers, and even British-era figures wearing boots and hats. The art’s signature color is a rich maroon-red from laterite soil, contrasted against a white lime-plaster background, creating a bold yet elegant aesthetic.
Product Range
Traditionally, Kaavi art adorned temple walls, homes, and churches as large-scale murals. Today, it is adapted for modern applications, including framed artworks, decorative panels, and wall installations. Contemporary artists also integrate Kaavi designs into home interiors, furniture, and ceramic pieces.