The correct option is 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
Pithora paintings are a highly ritualistic art form practiced by specific tribal communities in central India. These paintings are executed on the walls of homes not for decoration, but as a sacred ritual to invoke and appease the principal deity, Baba Pithora, often in fulfillment of a vow.
Statement 1 is Correct:
The tradition of Pithora painting is indigenous to the Rathwa, Bhil, and Bhilala tribes. These communities are concentrated in the border regions of Gujarat (particularly the Chhota Udaipur area) and Madhya Pradesh. The paintings are traditionally created by male artists known as Lakhara.
Statement 2 is Incorrect:
Pithora paintings are defined by the presence of animal figures, specifically horses. The horse is the central and most sacred motif, representing the vehicle of the deity Baba Pithora. The canvas is typically crowded with vibrant figures of horses, elephants, camels, and human figures, rather than being limited to geometric patterns.
Statement 3 is Correct:
The painting acts as a visual documentation of the tribe's cosmography and mythology. It typically depicts the marriage procession of Baba Pithora and encompasses the entire tribal universe, including the world of gods, the earth, ancestors, nature (sun and moon), and scenes from daily agricultural life.
Key Takeaway:
Pithora paintings are ritualistic wall art of the Rathwa and Bhil tribes (Gujarat/MP), distinguished by the central motif of horses representing the deity Baba Pithora.