Bangalore, July 9 - For Mansingh Dhananjay, carrying forward the tradition of pithoro painting is not just a source of his liveleihood but an art form handed over by his ancestors. Thus, no matter even if his art fetches him peanuts, Mansingh, 40, is determined to carry forward the legacy in spite of all odds.

'I love the art form. I have inherited it from my father. My son has also learnt the art form. No matter we fight abject poverty, as our art form hardly brings good money, but we have no other alternative but to carry forward the tradition,' Mansingh, told IANS, on the sidelines of a fair organised by Gurjari (Gujarat State Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd.) at the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath here.

The colourful traditional festival of Gujarat will continue till July 12.

'Pithoro painting is not done for any decorative or ornamental purpose. Pithoro, or 'Babo Pithoro' as the tribals would call it, is an important deity. Thus my art form is a kind of veneration to the Almighty also,' added Mansingh, an artist from Chhota Udaipur taluk of Vadodara district in Gujarat.

Pithoro is painted by a group of 'professionals' belonging to the tribal families of the Rathawa caste. Traditionally, the art form was used to decorate walls. Canvases have replaced walls in recent years.

Like Mansingh, Hari (who only writes his first name), a craftsperson from Bhuj in Kutch, Gujarat, and an expert in the art of making earthenware, said it was no profitable business.

'Although earthenware has taken a commercial place and every house is keen to have such articles in their daily use, yet the artisans are lowly paid ones and we struggle to survive,' rued Hari.

'But I am happy that people of the city have loved my work and are buying them generously,' smiled Hari.

Hari has brought some attractive bowls, clay utensils, pottery, kettles, cups, pots, and many more items for art lovers of Bangalore.