Threads Together : A Comparative Study of Tribal and Pre-Historic Rock Paintings/Robin D. Tribhuwan and Maike Finkenauer. New Delhi, Discovery, 2003, x, 122 p., figs., plates, tables, $42. ISBN 81-7141-644-6.

Contents: Foreword/A.S. Chitrak. Preface. 1. Socio-cultural and demographic profile of the Warli tribe. 2. Research methodology. 3. What about the Warli painting tradition? 4. Wall paintings of the Saora tribe of Orissa. 5. Comparison of rock paintings with tribal paintings. 6. Wall paintings of the Rathwa tribe. 7. Threads together: some reflections. Glossary. References.

"The subject of tribal paintings has attracted the attention of social scientists, archeologists, historians and fashion designers as there is much to learn from it. India is the only country in the world which has over 573 tribal groups. Every tribe is known from its outstanding cultural traits. Tribes such as Korwa, Bhils, Gonds, Murias, Saoras, Warlis and Rathwas are known for their paintings.

"This book presents a comparative account of the Warli, Saora, and Rathwa paintings cults. These cults have been studied from symbolic perspective. An effort has been made to draw an analogy between tribal and pre-historic painting cults.

"We are confident that the informations presented in the book will be useful to students, and scholars of anthropology, sociology, history, archaeology, museology, art, tribal studies fashion technology and general readers as well." (jacket)

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