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Learn an exclusive work of art – MADHUBANI Paintings

My love of bright colors, details, patterns and zentangle started from here … Madhubani paintings are one of the popular arts of India. Also known as ‘Mithila Paintings’, the name Madhubani comes from the town called Madhubani (in the northern Indian state of Bihar) where the art form originated and is practiced. The name Madhubhani translates to Honey Forest. The art is created on the walls that have been plastered with cow dung and clay paste to give a dark background. The women of the house practiced art. It served as a creative expression tool for their everyday lives and events. With the belief that the gods visited each house in the morning hours, the art was placed mainly on the walls and doors, with the intention of pleasing and welcoming the gods.

The Madhubani or Mithila paintings are said to have originated during the Ramayana period, when the artists were commissioned by King Janaka to make paintings during the wedding of his daughter, Sita, to Lord Ram. The paintings generally depict Hindu nature and religious motifs, the themes generally revolve around Hindu deities. Natural objects such as the sun, the moon, and religious plants such as tulsi (holy basil) are also extensively painted, along with royal court scenes and social events such as weddings. Generally no empty space is left, the gaps are filled with flowers, animals, birds and even geometric designs. Painting was one of the skills that was passed down from generation to generation in the families of the Mithila region, mainly among women. Paintings were made on the walls during festivals, religious events, and other life cycle milestones such as birth, Upanayanam (ceremony of the sacred thread), and marriage. The “kohbar ghar” paintings, which are made in the bridal chamber, were traditionally made to bless the newly married couple and the main theme of these paintings generally revolves around love and fertility. Symbols of fertility and prosperity include sun, moon, parrot, elephant, fish, turtle, bamboo tree, lotus, etc. The colors used are bright blue, black, deep red, light yellow, pink, lemon and green, and these set the right mood and played an important role. Bright red and yellow represent energy, passion, and binding force.

Among the first modern outsiders to document the tradition of Madhubani’s paintings were William and Mildred Archer. Archer was a British official assigned to the district during colonial times. The Archers obtained some drawings on paper that the painters used as a memory aid. The works the Archers collected went to the Indian Records Office in London (now part of the British Library), where a small number of specialists were able to study them as creative examples of Indian folk art.

Madhubani Art gained recognition in India in the late 1960s. Following a drought in the region there was a severe economic crisis. In order to create a new source of non-farm income, the All India Handicrafts Board encouraged women artists to produce their traditional paintings on handmade paper for commercial sale. Since then, painting has become the main source of income for many families. It is a tribute to the ingenuity of the Mithila women who have successfully transferred their techniques from bhitti chitra or wall painting to the medium of paper.

Traditionally, natural colors were used that were obtained from plant extracts such as henna leaves, flowers, bougainvillea, neem, etc. Then, in order for the paint to adhere to the painting medium, these natural juices are mixed with resin from banana leaves and ordinary rubber. In recent times, synthetic colors that come in powder form are readily available in the market. However, traditional artists still use colors derived from natural sources. The most popular natural colors in Madhubani art include deep red derived from the Kusuma flower, black from burnt jowar, green from Bel trees, orange from Palasa flower, and light yellow from turmeric. mixed with banyan leaf milk. Two different types of brushes are used: one for small details that is made with bamboo twigs and the other to fill the space that is made with a small piece of fabric attached to a twig.

Interestingly, Madhubani’s paintings have three distinguished styles:

1. Brahmin style: Brahmins are the highest caste of Hindu culture and the paintings created by them were allowed the liberal use of vibrant colors and their paintings were inspired by sacred texts with stories of various Hindu gods and goddesses such as Ram, Seetha, Krishna, Durga and Shiva.

2. Kshatriya Style – The Kshatriyas are somewhat below the Brahmins in the caste hierarchy and were only allowed to use the colors black and red. The subjects of the paintings were similar to the Brahmin style.

3. Tatoo style – The Dusadhs are the low caste group and they were not allowed to represent deities but could wear bright colors. Therefore, his subjects included flora and fauna, and Lord Salhesh, a culture hero from Dusadh. This style is known as Tattoo or Godhana painting.

The main artists who brought this art to the world include Smt Bharti Dayal, Ganga devi, Smt Bua Devi, late Smt Jagdamba Devi, late Smt Sita Devi, Smt Mahasundari Devi, and others. Madhubani’s painting gained official recognition in 1970 when the President of India presented an award to Ms Jagdamba Devi from Village Jitbarpur near Madhubani. Along with her, other painters, Ms Sita Devi, Ms Mahasundari Devi, Ms Godavari Dutt, Ms Bharti Dayal and Bua devi also received national awards in this field of Art from the President of India.

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