Madhubani Painting
Madhubani painting is one of many famous Indian art forms. It is called Mithila or Madhubani art because it is practiced in Bihar and the Mithila region of Nepal. Often featuring intricate geometric designs, these paintings are known to depict the ritual content of particular occasions, such as festivals and religious ceremonies. The colors used in Madhubani paintings are usually derived from plants and other natural sources. These colors are often bright and pigments such as lamp black and ochre are used to create black and brown respectively. Instead of modern brushes, objects such as twigs, matchsticks, and even fingers are used to create paintings.
The paintings are characterised by their eye-catching geometrical patterns. There is ritual content for particular occasions, such as birth or marriage, and festivals, such as Holi, Surya Shasti, Kali Puja, Upanayana, and Durga Puja. This painting as a form of wall art was practiced widely throughout the region; the more recent development of painting on paper and canvas mainly originated among the villages around Madhubani, and it is these latter developments that led to the term "Madhubani art" being used alongside "Mithila Painting."

Madhubani painting featuring God Shiva-Parvati and the Mahavidyas
The paintings were traditionally done on freshly plastered mud walls and floors of huts, but now they are also done on cloth, handmade paper and canvas. Madhubani paintings are made from the paste of powdered rice. 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.
History & Evolution
Madhubani painting originated in the Mithila region of Bihar. Some of the first references to Madhubani paintings are found in the Hindu epic Ramayana, when King Janaka, Sita's father, asked painters to create a painting of Madhubani for his daughter's wedding. The Knowledge was passed from generation to generation, and paintings began to decorate the houses of the region.
Village women practiced these paintings on the walls of their homes. Her paintings often represent her thoughts, hopes and dreams. Over time, Madhubani paintings became part of celebrations and special events such as weddings. The traditional base of plastered mud walls were soon replaced by handmade papers, fabrics and canvases. Since the paintings are confined to a limited area, the subject matter and style are almost identical.
Madhubani paintings mostly depict people and their association with nature and scenes and deities from the ancient epics. The Madhubani style of painting can be traced to the Madhubani district in Bihar, literally meaning 'a forest of honey', where women spent a lot of time making these paintings on the walls of their homes. 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. In this paintings generally, no space is left empty; the gaps are filled by paintings of flowers, animals, birds, and even geometric designs.

Madhubani Paiting on Stamp of India,2000
Different Styles of Madhubani Painting
Madhubani painting is a well known form of art famous in the state of Bihar in India. This painting style with attractively vibrant colors merged with fingers, nibs, brushes and twigs mostly depict Hindu mythological figures. This exceptional art form has five different styles with distinct features. These distinct styles of Madhubani paintings include
Bharni -
Bharni style painting is one of the five styles of Madhubani painting. It is a very deep art form known for its vibrant and bright colors. This art form has traditionally been used to depict Hindu deities and their historical contributions to Indian mythology. Baruni means "filling" in Hindi. The name expresses the style of painting full of color and design. The Bharni paintings usually depict images of Hindu gods and goddesses.

Bharni Style Madhubani Painting
Kachni -
The Kachni painting style of Madhubani painting is a traditional painting style that originates from the Kayastha community. This particular art form has a unique individual style, mainly made using a monochrome or only two colors. This style of painting attracts the audience since they highlight the peculiar features of natural aspects with a limited color range. Kachin painting style has come a long way from the small town of Ranti village in Madhubani District. The distinction in form is mainly seen in the linework of the paintings. These paintings primarily depict animals, flowers, and other natural aspects.

Dancing Peacock Kachni Style Madhubani Painting
Tantrik -
The Tantrik painting style of Mithila or Madhubani art is a very distinctive style of painting. This style is a very accurate representation of traditional and religious texts. Tantra is an original text that describes the Hindu religion and its aspects. Therefore, most Tantrik style paintings have Tantrik influences in their painting patterns. These paintings traditionally depict characters from Hindu mythology that represent the strong beliefs of Hindus. People in India generally involve these paintings in their homes or on any special occasion for prayers with firm faith.

Tantrik Style Mithila Painting
Godna -
Godna is also among the five styles of Madhubani art. This art form is a unique and beautiful style of Mithila painting. Godna painting style is considered to be one of the most straightforward methods in the race of Mithila art style. The discovery of Godna Madhubani painting is believed to be done by Chanu Devi in which she used a pen made of bamboo and kajal to make the design. This art precisely signifies natural creatures such as animals, birds, plants, tree of life, and flowers. This painting style is famously done on canvas, but people also tend to use them as a tattoo.

Earth on Tortoise Godna Style of Madhubani Painting
Kohbar -
Kohbar in Madhubani painting is one of the most popular forms of the style of Mithila art. Kohbar is a highly valued word when we speak of Madhubani art as it has a linkage with a Hindu wedding ceremony. Kohbar art also goes by the name of Tantra Raj, Yog Yogini, and Shiv Shakti, which means power with the blessing of Lord Shiva resides. This painting mainly depicts Hindu wedding ceremonies, and they are primarily made on the walls of the bride and groom’s home.

Kohbar Style Madhubani Painting
Notable Madhubani Artists
This amazing art form is still kept alive because of the efforts of many artists who continue to practice Madhubani art. Many notable Madhubani artists have received national and international recognition. Some of them are mentioned below:
Sita Devi –
Though Madhubani paintings were being practiced many years ago by the womenfolk of Mithila, it was Sita Devi who brought this art form under the limelight. Sita Devi was honored with the State Award by the government of Bihar in the year 1969 and that is when this art form received national recognition. Sita Devi was born in the Jitwarpur village in the Madhubani district of Bihar. She was exposed to this age old painting right from her childhood. But it wasn’t until she received the State Award that the art form was recognized all over the country. In 1975, she was once again honored when the National Award was bestowed upon her by the President of India. In 1981, Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award of India, was conferred on Sita Devi. The government of Bihar then honored her with the prestigious Bihar Ratna in 1984. In 2006, the government of India conferred on her the title, Shilp Guru.

Ramayan Madhubani painting by Sita Devi

Sita Devi
Ganga Devi –
Ganga Devi is another artist who is credited for popularizing Madhubani painting. Not just in India, but Ganga Devi popularized this ancient art form in foreign countries as well. Like Sita Devi, Ganga Devi too was exposed to Madhubani painting right from her childhood as she was born in Mithila, Bihar. She was born into the Kayastha community and practiced the Katchni style of painting. She then travelled to various countries in an attempt to popularize the art form all over the world.
She even participated in ‘Festival of India,’ an event organized in the United States of America. In the event, she displayed her paintings and was appreciated by many international artists. For her efforts, the government of India honored her with the National Award for Crafts. In the year 1984, Ganga Devi was awarded Padma Shri by the President of India.

Mithila's Madhubani Artist Ganga Devi

Madhubani painting by Ganga Devi
Mahasundari Devi –
Also born in Madhubani, Bihar, Mahasundari Devi was a renowned Madhubani artist. She started learning the art form from her aunt at a very young age. Mahasundari Devi played a key role in supporting and developing not just Madhubani painting but also various other art forms of Bihar by creating a cooperative society. She was considered a living legend and was honored with various prestigious awards. In 1982, the President of India honored her with the National Award. The Government of Madhya Pradesh then bestowed on her the prestigious Tulsi Samman in 1995. In 2011, she was honored with the Padma Shri by the Government of India. Mahasundari Devi breather her last on 4 July 2013, but left behind a great legacy. Bibha Das, her daughter-in-law, is an award-winning Madhubani painter as well.

Madhubani Painting by Mahasundari Devi

Mithila Artist Mahasundari Devi
Bharti Dayal –
Born in Samastipur, Bihar, Bharti Dayal learnt the traditional art form from her mother and her grandmother. Bharti strived to take the art form to the world stage and played a key role in the popularization of these paintings. In order to popularize the art form and propagate it throughout the world, she started using present day techniques and thereby contemporized the art form.
She then displayed her works in various exhibitions throughout the world. In June 2016, her paintings were displayed at the Museum of Sacred Art (MOSA), Belgium.
The director of MOSA, Martin Gurvich, appreciated her works and called her the ambassador of Madhubani painting in the modern world. In 1995, a documentary aired on a French television channel displayed her Madhubani paintings.
In 2006, Bharti Dayal won the National Award for excellence in the art form. She has also been honored with various other awards like AIFACS and National Merit awards. She has also won many state awards.

Artist : Bharti Dayal

Madhubani Painting by Bharti Dayal
Jagdamba Devi -
Jagdamba Devi is another important exponent of Madhubani paintings. She was given the Padma Shri award in 1975 for her contributions towards the art form. Other Madhubani painters like Shashi Kala Devi, Leela Devi, Bauwa Devi, Yamuna Devi, Bindeshwari Devi, Chandrakala Devi, Shanti Devi, Chano Devi, Godavari Dutta, Ambika Devi, Manisha jha and Chandrabhushan have also been honoured with national awards.

Artist Jagdamba Devi

Madhubani Painting by Jagdamba Devi
Madhubani Painting in Modern Times
Madhubani art is an important part of the life of people in a village called Ranti in present day Bihar. The women who practice this art form in the village use it as an opportunity to create awareness on social issues and to empower women. Artists like Karpuri Devi, Mahalaxmi and Dulari are playing key roles in teaching other women the importance of Madhubani painting.
Their works are displayed in a museum in Japan. Also, there are several institutions near Mithila that teach Madhubani paintings to young artists. Some of the major centers that teach this art form are Benipatti in Madhubani district, Gram Vikas Parishad in Ranti and Vaidehi in Madhubani. Artist Bharti Dayal owns a studio in New Delhi.

Artist working on Madhubani painting
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