Our politicians speak of unity in diversity. But have we as a nation, in fact, gone beyond mere 'Tokenism' in our commitment to creating a society that is fair and equitable? In the fifty years since independence, India's "backward classes" and "other backward classes," have gained significant political, if not economic, power. Our tribal population however, remains completely outside the national agenda. A history of exploitation or neglect has bred revolt or apathy……..and alcoholism.

The Warlis are one such tribe of Adivasis or aborigines. Traditionally cultivators, they live in a nether world of myth and legend. Story -telling is integral to their scheme of things, oral and through a unique art form- painting with rice flour on freshly-smeared mud walls. The paintings are an intriguing mirror to their life. To read between the strokes is to venture beyond the aesthetics, to question the system, our very social fabric.