The Warlis of Maharashtra, use the mud plastered walls of their huts as their canvas, and paint tribal designs in white or brilliant sindur red. Agricultural implements used by them, and areas allotted for rice pounding, worship, marriage etc. are all decorated with typical motifs like trees and creepers, birds and animals, the sun and moon, man and woman. Painting is also done on the side walls at the entrance of dwellings. The main purpose of these drawings is to promote fertility, avert disease, propitiate the dead and fulfill the demands of ghost spirits who fill the dream world of the Warlis. The Warli paintings, originally adorning the mud walls of their homes, are an expression of a kind of fulfillment they experience in harmony withnature and their gods. These paintings are deeply rooted in tradition. Every occasion connected with their livelihood, with their joys and sorrows, are related to the symbols bearing magical significance. All the items of their household from the walls of their dwelling to the plough, sieve and flour grinder- are painted. Apart from magical belief, a feeling for beautiful form and a sense of colour and proportion and an innate aesthetic drive - lead them to decorate their mud huts and items of daily use.

The leaf with a steam locomotive running over and across the leaf is the subject matter of the canvas in the featured lot. The train operates on coal, emitting smoke and contributing to the increasing air population.