Art and Culture

An NIFT graduate helps women in Bihar put their traditional painting skills to use in an innovative manner

·        Madhubani means ‘forest of honey’.

·        Origin: Madhubani painting has its origins in Mithila region of Bihar.

·        The painting is one of the oldest and most famous Indian art forms which is also practised in Nepal.

·        Traces of Madhubani artwork also can be noticed in the Ramayana, the Indian epic.

·        It is also known as Mithila or Madhubani art.

·        Characteristics:These paintings are famous due to their tribal motifs and use of shiny earthy colors.

·        Traditionally the women of the village drew those paintings at the partitions of their dwelling, as an indication in their emotions, hopes, and thoughts.

·        Today men are also involved to meet the demand.

·        Style: It includes geometrical patterns, floral, animal and bird motifs.

·        Colours:The colorings utilized in art work incorporate natural extracts from vegetation and other herbal resources.

·        E.g.:Black coloration is obtained by using blending soot with cow dung; blue from indigo; white from rice powder; orange from Falasha vegetation, and so on.

·        The colours are applied flat with no shading and no empty space is left.

·        These are usually dark and bright with pigments like lampblack (obtained from coal) and ochre (earthy yellow pigment).

·        These paintings are not made with modern brushes but rather with twigs, matchsticks, and fingers.

·        But now artists use brushes, nib-pens, and synthetic colors as properly to color.

·        Themes: It is based on the mythological characters which depict the life of Hindu deities like Krishna, Rama, Lakshmi, Shiva, Durga, and Saraswati.

·        The designs widely painted are of Tulasi plant, court scenes, wedding scenes, social happenings etc.

·        Also, heavenly bodies like the Sun and the Moon often form the centrepiece of paintings.

·        Eminent Artists: Karpuri Devi, Mahalaxmi and Dulari.

·        These artwork are popular because of their tribal motifs and use of bright earthy shades.