Madhubani art painting images

• It is not a discovery that paintings and art frequently reflect the traditions and culture of the region from which they come. They are often a reflection of the period in which the work was made. It is unique for an old art form to become a mirror of current times and concerns. A drive north Road 53 in the Madhubani region or to Ranti village in Bihar, on the other hand, will show you how Madhubani art, which dates back some 2500 years, is very much still alive and well. Not only that, but it has managed to save an entire forest while also drawing attention to some extremely important women’s concerns! Examine the history of Madhubani paintings and how they have changed through time.

The history of Madhubani art paintings

• Madhubani paintings, a 2500-year-old folk art, are thought to have originated during the Ramayana, when king Janaka commissioned an artist to depict his daughter Sita’s marriage to prince Rama. During festivals, celebrations, or special occasions, women would frequently produce these paintings on the walls and floors of their homes. This kind of painting, also known as Mithila art, began in the Mithila region of Bihar and has been practised in regions throughout Bihar and Nepal.
• Mithila artwork, also known as Bhitti Chitra, was uncovered in 1934 after a severe earthquake struck Bihar. While inspecting the damage caused by the earthquake, the British Colonial Commissioner of Madhubani district, William G. Archer, came across these murals in the inside walls of the homes.

What makes Madhubani art paintings so unique?

• So, how do these paintings come to be? In the contemporary day, Mithila or Madhubani paintings are done using fingers and twigs as well as matchsticks and pen nibs. Typically, bright colours are utilised in these paintings, with a framework composed of rice paste. There are very few empty places in these paintings. If a border exists, it is decorated with geometric and floral designs. 

• Figures in Madhubani paintings are distinguished by strongly defined, bulging fish-like eyes and pointy noses. Natural elements like fish, parrots, elephants, turtles, the sky, moonlight, bamboo trees, and lotuses are frequently shown in these art paintings. Geometric patterns may also be observed in these images, which frequently represent love, courage, loyalty, fertility, and wealth. This ancient art style has also been known to represent scenes from mythology such as the Ramayana, such as wedding rites, religious rituals, and various cultural events such as festivals.

Madhubani art in the present day?

• Madhubani paintings are one of the most well-known in the world. This popular Mithila area art reflects the region’s people’s inventiveness and compassion. It, like any folk art, represents the mentality of the community to which it belongs; it reflects the region’s morals, values, and customs in an intriguing way. This age-old art is distinguished by eye-catching geometrical designs and is produced by utilising fingers, twigs, brushes, nib-pens, and matchsticks, as well as natural dyes and pigments. These paintings are mostly created by women in the Mithila area, which means a lot in a male-dominated society.