Traditional paintings in India:

Eastern villages boom

Characterized by vibrant use of colour, underlying symbolism and traditional geometric patterns supporting the main theme, the Indian folk art form of Madhubani painting is fast creating a place for itself in the international house of fame.

The origins of Madhubani paintings or Mithila paintings are shrouded in antiquity. Tradition states that this style of painting originated at the time of the epic Ramayana, when King Janak commissioned artists to do paintings at the time of marriage of his daughter, Sita, to Lord Ram.

In fact, the history of ethnic paintings in India can be traced back to Bhimbatka Caves of Madhya Pradesh, where some of the earliest paintings of India are found. But when it comes to ethnic “tribal” paintings of India, the name which tops the list is Madhubani paintings.

“Madhubani paintings are an indigenous art form of a quaint village of Bihar. Here the women of the village maintain a matriarchal dominance over the craft,” explained Radhika Ranjan, an art impressario.

The womenfolk paint figures from nature and myth on household and village walls to mark the seasonal festivals and for special events of the life cycle. When marriages are being arranged, they prepare intricately designed wedding proposals, and the technique of painting is safely and zealously guarded by the women of this village, for it is to be passed on by a mother to her daughter.

Madhubani paintings, also known as Godhna, Maithili and Chitra figure paintings, originated out of the humble domestic rituals in Madhubani District of Bihar. Chiefly prevailing in Madhubani District, it also diffused to the adjacent districts of Jetwarpur, Ranti, Rasidpur, Bacchi and Rajangarh.

“As per the belief of the people of Madhubani that gods visit each house in the morning to bless them with luck and prosperity, Madhubani paintings started as a welcome painting on the walls, doors and floors for the gods,” said Ranjan.

Women of this village have been practicing this art form for centuries but it came to the forefront only in the 1960s, when a drought hit the area and people had to think of an alternative non agricultural source of earning.

Selling these traditional paintings on handmade paper was the best alternative. And with that started the commercialization of the Maithili paintings — it shifted from walls and floors to paper, satin, sarees, dupattas, without deviating from its original themes.

And today they are one of the most celebrated folk arts of the world. Most of the people of Madhubani now depend on these paintings for their daily necessities.

Xinua