MADHUBANI PAINTING

Traditionally done on freshly plastered mud walls and floors of huts.
However, now they are also done on cloth, handmade paper and canvas.
Paintings are made from the paste of powdered rice.
Uses two-dimensional imagery.
Tools used: Twigs, Fingers, brushes, nib-pens matchsticks.
Colors used are derived from plants. Ochre, Lampblack and Red is used for reddish-brown and black, respectively.
This painting is done with a variety of tools, including fingers, twigs, brushes, nib-pens, and matchsticks and using natural dyes and pigments. It is characterised by its eye-catching geometrical patterns.

Madhubani art has five distinctive styles: Bharni, Kachni, Tantrik, Godna and Kohbar.
Themes: Mainly religious. Depict Gods and Goddesses.
Natural objects like the sun, the moon, and religious plants like Tulsi are also widely painted, along with scenes from the royal court and social events like weddings.

Kalakriti in Darbhanga, Vaidehi and Benipatti in Madhubani district are some of the major centres of Madhubani painting, which have kept this ancient art form alive.

Madhubani painting has remained confined to a compact geographical area and the skills have been passed on through centuries.
The content and the style have largely remained the same. Thus, Madhubani painting has received GI (Geographical Indication) status.
Madhubani art has received worldwide attention.