MADHUBANI PAINTING

Origin

• Traditionally, created by the women of Bihar Mithila region.

Characteristics

• 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.

Styles & Theme

• 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.

Centres

• 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.

Recognition

• 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.

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