Madhubani Painting, Indian Folk Art

The moment I think about India, the only word that knocks my brain is “culture“. India is well known for its rich cultural heritage, unity in diversity and also its majestic folk art. Indian Folk Art is a mixture of vibrant colors and intricate patterns. It not only reflects the arduous effort of the artist but also the prosperous and illustrious Indian culture. The motifs are most of the time inspired by the Indian mythology and are illustrated with ornate designs and great finesse. Though coming from different regions of India, most of the artworks bear some resemblance in terms of aesthetics, ornamentation, intricacy or the richness in its vibrant colors.

Madhubani Painting by Anushree Dutta

One of the famous folk arts of India is Madhubani Painting. It originated in the kingdom of Mithila (Northern Bihar and Nepal), during the reign of King Janak (from Ramayana), and hence is also named as Mithila Painting. During the wedding of Lord Rama and Sita (daughter of King Janak), the entire town was painted and walls were decorated. Ever since, the tradition continued and the women in the Northern Bihar decorated the walls of their houses by painting them with intricate patterns during religious ceremonies or weddings.

In recent years, this folk art has evolved, and is not just confined to the walls or limited to natural dyes for colors. The artists nowadays explore various mediums and the artworks are made on handmade paper or canvas or cloth. The creativity is explored in various ways, widening the horizon of this folk art and spreading its fame all around the globe. Most of the paintings depict Gods and Goddesses decorated with flora and fauna. The motifs are mostly outlined in black and filled in with bright colors. Some of them are also filled with fine textures and closely placed thin black lines. Basically, no space is left unfilled in the painting, which projects the uniqueness of this folk art. It is one of the treasures of the Indian Culture which glimmers in its own aura of exotic rawness and beauty.                                                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          --Anushree Dutta