FROM MUD HUTS TO PAPER: THE STORY OF MADHUBANI PAINTING

Art can provide an important connection to our cultural heritage, and Indian art is simply rich in traditions that date back hundreds and thousands of years. One of the most popular traditional art forms is Madhubani painting.

Here are the answers to some frequent questions on the extraordinary history of Madhubani (Mithila) art and its fascinating process.

What is Madhubani art?

Madhubani art — also known as Mithila art — is a traditional Indian art form noted for its use of local plants for colors, cow dung to treat the paper and bamboo sticks that serve as brushes, not to mention the beauty and simplicity of the paintings themselves.

Mithila Art process detail — A Madhubani artist begins filling in her elaborate outline, a hallmark of this traditional art form.

Are Madhubani and Mithila the same?

Yes, these are two names for the same art form — Madhubani painting is also known as Mithila because it originated from the Mithila region in Bihar, India.

When did Madhubani art originate?

While its exact origin is unknown, legend holds that King Janak, the ruler of the Mithila region in the 8th or 7th century BCE, requested this new form of painting to capture his daughter Sita’s wedding to Prince Rama, the central figure of the epic Ramayana.

We do know that, centuries ago, women first made Madhubani paintings on the freshly plastered walls and floors of mud huts. This technique was then passed down for generations, and today Madhubani paintings are also made on cloth, handmade paper and canvas. Although both men and women now paint in this style, Madhubani stands out as an art form historically developed and dominated by women.

Mithila Art - Rati Kamdev (the goddess and god of love) | Natural dyes on handmade paper | 30 x 22 inches — Rati Kamdev (the goddess and god of love), Natural dyes on handmade paper, 30 x 22 inches, available on commission basis.

What are the 3 themes in Madhubani painting?

There are three main themes in Madhubani art: religion, social scenes and elements of nature.

Religion
Hindu mythological figures and scenes from sacred texts are very common subjects, featuring popular deities like Radha and Krishna, Shiva, Ganesha, Saraswati and Laxmi.

Mithila Art – Doli (Bride in a palanquin) | Natural dyes on handmade paper | 11 x 30 inches — Doli (Bride in a palanquin), Natural dyes on handmade paper, 11 x 30 inches, available on commission basis.

Social
From harvests and markets to the royal court and children playing, Madhubani paintings beautifully render scenes from daily rural Indian life. Wedding ceremonies are especially sought-after, with messages of love and fertility.

Mithila Art | Contemporary Indian Artists | Giraffe family | Natural dyes on handmade paper | 11 x 15 inches — Giraffe family, Natural dyes on handmade paper, 11 x 15 inches, $ 1250 (framed).

Nature
The beauty and abundance of nature is an essential value of Madhubani paintings. Some of the most beloved images are the sun, the moon, birds and animals, the sacred Tulsi plant and Banyan trees.

Mithila process diagram — Madhubani paintings use only natural dyes, extracted from leaves and flowers.

What materials are used for Madhubani art?

Madhubani artists prepare their own paints and tools from natural, locally available materials. Before applying any paints, the paper is treated with cow dung to preserve the strong color of the natural pigments. Cow dung is also mixed with charcoal and water for drawing the black outline.

Mithila artist preparing surface 1 — Cow dung helps preserve the all-natural pigments used in Madhubani painting.

Which pen is used for Madhubani?

Artists use a bamboo stick for the intricate black outline of the painting, which cannot be erased or changed once it is begun.

Mithila process detail 3 — The juice from Aparajita flowers is used to make blue color.

What colors are used in Mithila?

Madhubani artists create their natural pigments from flowers and vegetables. Some common ingredients include the aparajita flower for blue, bougainvillea for pink, flat bean leaves for green, turmeric for yellow and rice powder for white.

Where is Madhubani practiced today?

Unfortunately, few Madhubani artists are living and working today. As the world modernizes, it becomes increasingly difficult for traditional artisans to make a living from their craft alone, and many ancient forms of Indian art are consequently at risk of disappearing altogether.

Indian folk artists need support from collectors around the world in order to preserve their art, and that’s exactly why traditional Indian art is an important aspect of Laasya Art’s collection. We hope to encourage a new generation of appreciation for Madhubani paintings.

To browse our curated collection of Madhubani (Mithila) paintings online, visit https://laasyaart.com/mithila-art. Please reach out to us at info@laasyaart.com or +1 650-770-9088 to view these traditional artworks in person at our gallery in Palo Alto (San Francisco Bay Area).

— Sonia Nayyar Patwardhan