Madhubani Paintings – Art and Culture Notes for UPSC, BPSC

Introduction

Madhubani paintings, also known as Mithila paintings, are a traditional art form that originated in the Mithila region of Bihar. These paintings are characterized by their vibrant colours, intricate designs, and use of geometric patterns. Madhubani paintings are created using natural dyes and pigments and are typically done on handmade paper, cloth, or walls.

Madhubani Painting is a historical and cultural heritage of Bihar as well as of India. It is practised mainly in the districts of Madhubani, Sitamarhi, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Saharsa, Madhepura and Supaul in Bihar and bordering districts in Nepal.

Although it was started and dominated by women but nowadays male painters are also doing Madhubani Painting. It got international recognition only in recent times.

Origin

• Madhubani painting has its origins in the Mithila region of Bihar. Madhubani means ‘forest of honey’.
• It is also known as Mithila or Madhubani art.
• The painting is one of the oldest and most famous Indian art forms which is also practised in Nepal.
• Traces of Madhubani art can also be noticed in the Ramayana, the Indian epic.

Historical Background

• Madhubani Painting traces its history from the marriage of Sita.
• At the time of the marriage of Sita, King Janak ordered to paint the walls of the whole state of Janakpur with colourful paintings, which was later known as Madhubani Painting or Mithila Painting.
• During the Earthquake Survey (1934), British officials got to know about the Madhubani Painting as folk art from the ruins and started researching it.

Despite all the above, it got the recognition of the state government only in 1969 and that too after a lot of efforts done by Sita Devi.

Initially, it was painted on mud walls and plastered walls but nowadays it is also painted on canvas, paper and even on clothes.

Madhubani painting – Key Features / Characteristics

Here are some key features of Madhubani paintings:

• Themes and Subjects: Madhubani paintings often depict scenes from Hindu mythology, religious motifs, nature, and daily life. Common subjects include gods and goddesses, religious rituals, wildlife, birds, and village scenes.

• These paintings are popular because of their tribal motifs and use of bright earthy colours.
• Style: It includes geometrical patterns, floral, animal and bird motifs.
• This style of painting has been traditionally done by the women (on the walls of their dwelling, as a demonstration of their feelings, hopes, and ideas) of the region.
• Though today men are also involved to meet the demand.
• Traditionally, the Madhubani paintings were created using fingers and twigs, and items like matchsticks have come to be used in their creation in recent times.

1. Background of Paintings 

• In the background of Madhubani Paintings, pictures of trees, flowers, fruits, animals and human images are painted.
• But these images are painted only for representation purposes. For example, if a bird is to be painted then only symbols of birds are used. 
• If a girl is to be presented then instead of focusing on physical beauty and shape, only their work, qualities and philosophical aspects are covered.

2. Colours Used in Paintings

• The colours used in paintings comprise natural extracts from plants and other natural sources.
• E.g.: Black colour is obtained by mixing soot with cow dung; blue from indigo; white from rice powder; yellow tint by mixing Turmeric with milk of banyan leaves, orange from Palasha flowers, Red colour from red sandalwood or Kusam flower juice, etc.
• The colours are applied flat with no shading and no empty space is left.
• These are usually dark and bright with pigments like lampblack (obtained from coal) and ochre (earthy yellow pigment).
• These paintings are not made with modern brushes but rather with twigs, matchsticks, and fingers.
• But now artists use brushes, nib-pens and synthetic colours as well to paint.
  

3. Themes of Madhubani Paintings

• It is based on the mythological characters which depict the life of Hindu deities like Krishna, Rama, Lakshmi, Shiva, Durga, and Saraswati.
  • The designs widely painted are of the Tulasi plant, court scenes, wedding scenes, social happenings etc.
  • Also, heavenly bodies like the Sun and the Moon often form the centrepiece of paintings.

Types of Madhubani Painting 

There are two types of Madhubani Painting:-

1. Wall Painting
2. Aripan Painting

1. Wall Painting

Wall painting is further subdivided into two types:- (I). Painting of Gosani and (II). Painting of Kohbar.

I. Painting of Gosani

• Gosani is basically the room where religious activities are performed. The paintings of Gosani are mainly religious in nature.
• The paintings of gods and goddesses such as Durga, Sita-Ram, Radha-Krishna, Shiv-Parvati and Vishnu-Lakshmi are painted on the walls of Gosani.
• In these paintings, the contributions of the Brahman and Kayashtha families are most important and significant than any other groups.

II. Painting of Kohbar

• Kohbar is the room dedicated to newly wedded couples, that’s why the walls of the Kohbar room are generally painted with sensuous paintings.
• These paintings include images of Kamdev, Rati, Yakshini and Male & Female sex organs.
•  Besides the above, pictures of leaves, trees, flowers, animals, humans and birds are also painted in the background.

2. Aripan Painting (Rangoli)

• Similar to Rangoli, Aripan is painted in the courtyard and in front of the gate.
• In Aripan painting, ground rice mixed with water and colours is used. Aripan paintings are basically of five types:-

1. Showcasing vegetation such as trees, flowers and fruits. 
2. Paintings showcasing Animals, birds and human beings.  
3. Paintings symbolising Magic (Tantrik). 
4. Paintings of gods and goddesses. 
5. Painting of Swastik, Earthen Lamp etc.

Besides the above different types of paintings are done on different occasions. For example, on the occasion of Tulsi Pujan by unmarried girls, Geometrical figures mainly triangles and rectangles are drawn in Aripan. On marriage occasions, paintings of leaves are drawn as Aripan.

Current Scenario

• Nowadays it got maximum popularity and recognition worldwide as a unique form of Indian folk art.
• Exhibited in art galleries and museums globally
• Recently many exhibitions of Madhubani Paintings were organized. One such exhibition of the paintings of Shashikla Devi was organised in Japan.
• A museum of Madhubani Painting is also being constructed in the Tokamachi City of Japan. Such kind of museum of Madhubani Paintings is not even constructed in India.
• Important painters of Madhubani Painting are Sita Devi, Ganga Devi, Baua Devi, Godawari Dutta, Padmashri Jagdamba Devi, Satya Narayan Lal Karn, Bharti Dayal, Kaushlya  Devi etc.

Eminent Artists:

Karpuri Devi, Mahalaxmi and Dulari.

Cultural Significance

Madhubani paintings have been an integral part of the cultural heritage of the Mithila region for centuries. They are traditionally done by women, passed down from generation to generation, and were originally created as a form of auspicious decoration during festivals, weddings, and other special occasions.