Madhubani Art

ABOUT THE COLLECTION

Known for its intricate motifs and vibrant colours, Madhubani or Mithila painting is an Indian art form developed by women from the region of Mithila in Northern Bihar. Though practiced for hundreds of years, Madhubani paintings were relatively unknown, and “discovered” only in 1934, when during an inspection after an earthquake, a British colonial officer came across them on the walls of houses.

Traditionally made during special occasions and ceremonies, Madhubani paintings mostly depict nature and religious motifs. The themes revolve around deities like Krishna, Rama, Shiva, Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. Objects like the sun and moon are also widely painted. It is believed that the art form originated during the time of Ramayana, when King Janak commissioned artists to paint pictures on the occasion of his daughter Sita’s wedding.

Madhubani paintings are made with fingers, twigs, brushes, nib-pens and matchsticks. Natural dyes and pigments, such as turmeric, soot, cow dung, indigo, rice powder, sandalwood and rose are still in use, though many artists today use acrylic colours. An interesting feature of this art form is that the artists aim to cover every possible inch of the canvas with patterns, filling the gaps with flowers, animals, birds and geometric designs.

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