Vidhayak Sansad established the Worli Art Studio at its Usagaon campus to revive the dying arts and craft of tribal's in Maharashtra.

In coordination with Shramjeevi Sanghatana, the sister organizations select artists from among the tribal's and provide them with training at the studio. The program has been an important resource for the economic rehabilitation of former bonded laborers. Without any means of earning upon their release, many of these laborers have entered the Worli Art training program and become artists who later sell their work. The training course lasts six months, during which time the artists are given a stipend by the program. After the training the artists work in the studio with a minimum salary of Rs 2,500 per month, with sick leave and bonuses available. Subsidized food and free lodging at the campus is also provided. The art produced has attracted attention from Sabha in Bangalore and Fab India Overseas in Mumbai. Responding to customer demand, the studio is presently offering ‘duppattas’ (scarves) with Worli art, along with other textiles. Besides offering items for commercial sale, the Worli Art Studio has held exhibitions in Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai.

Currently three artists work at the studio, the head of which is Dama Mangalya Desak, a former bonded laborer who was freed through Shramjeevi Sanghatana. Dama works alongside Balu Diwa, a handicapped artist.

Art produced by the studio is available for purchase. All profits go to supporting the activities of Vidhayak Sansad.

History of Worli Painting

The region known as Worli is situated in the Thane district of Northern Maharashtra, on the west coast of India. The origins of the Worli community are unknown but many scholars and folklorists believe that they can be traced to as early as the tenth century AD.

The Worli people’s art forms are a way of passing on their common folklore as they traditionally have not used the written word for communication. The themes chosen by the artists are mainly from nature and everyday life. Paintings are filled with fields swaying with healthy crops, birds flying in the sky, group dancing around a musician, wedding festivals, dancing peacocks, women cooking or busy in their other house chores, and children playing. Worli art always depicts groups of people. The images are painted with rice paste on walls treated with mud, charcoal, and cow dung.

As it is not possible to carry entire walls away when buying a painting, Worli artists have now developed ways to create their work on a variety of media. Many small paintings are done on cloth and paper. New colors have been added to appeal to the tastes of buyers, without giving up on the designs and themes of the traditional art form.

Since the 1970s the artistic traditions of the Worli community have received wide attention for their unique simplicity. The paintings have proved a popular souvenir for visitors to India.