The correct option is 2 only
Explanation
Warli painting is a traditional tribal art form practiced by the Warli tribe in the North Sahyadri Range of Maharashtra. These paintings are primarily ritualistic, created by women (Suvasinis) during weddings and harvest festivals, utilizing geometric shapes like circles, triangles, and squares to depict daily life and nature.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: The central motif in the ritualistic Warli paintings, particularly the Lagnachauk (marriage square), is the mother goddess Palaghat. She is considered a symbol of fertility and is often associated with the corn goddess (Kansari), representing the generative power of nature.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The paintings are traditionally executed using a white pigment made from a mixture of rice paste, water, and gum. The background is prepared using a mixture of cow dung and red mud (geru), which provides the characteristic red-ochre canvas. Charcoal is not used for the figures; the distinctiveness of Warli art lies in the white-on-red contrast.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: The guardian deity associated with the Chowk is usually depicted as a male figure, often a headless warrior or a figure known as Panch Sirya (five-headed god). While nature and animals (including snakes) are depicted in Warli art, the specific guardian deity of the square is not visualized as a multi-headed serpent known as Naga Devata.
Key Takeaway:
Warli paintings are characterized by the use of white rice paste on a red ochre and cow dung background. The central ritualistic motif is the goddess Palaghat, surrounded by geometric depictions of social life.