Madhubani Paintings: The Story of Bihar's Artistic Heritage

Pujit

Sep 18 2023

<a href='null'><div><img height='400px' width='auto;' class='img_dynaPost' src='/BlitzMobiImages/consumers/company551995499/mediafiles/MSx99dW5239.tmp'/></div></a><div style=' background:#FFFFFF;color:#000000;font-family:Verdana;width:auto;padding:5px;max-height:100%;'><span><p class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="margin-bottom: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow: visible; cursor: text; clear: both; position: relative; direction: ltr; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI Web&quot;, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW90305487 BCX0" paraid="410775787" paraeid="{1e1c0f92-b4d1-4789-812b-9be18c470db1}{91}" style="margin-bottom: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Madhubani</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">, which translates to "forest of honey," derives its name from the ancient town where this art form originated. Legend has it that Lord Rama's brother, Lord Lakshmana, was said to have married a local princess from </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Madhubani</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">, and this art form </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">emerged</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;"> as a celebration of their union. Passed down through generations, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Madhubani</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;"> paintings have become a vital part of the cultural fabric of the region, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">representing</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;"> a unique blend of mythology, folklore, and everyday life.</span><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important;"><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">The magic of </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Madhubani</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;"> paintings lies in their distinctive style. Artists employ intricate patterns and </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-position: left bottom; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); border-bottom: 1px solid transparent;">bold,&nbsp;</span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-position: left bottom; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); border-bottom: 1px solid transparent;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;"> colors, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">predominantly using</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;"> natural pigments made from minerals, plants, and even kitchen ingredients. The canvas for these paintings ranges from handmade paper to cloth, mud walls, and even pots and pans. Every stroke of the brush or </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-position: left bottom; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); border-bottom: 1px solid transparent;">fingers</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;"> tells a story, conveying emotions, rituals, and customs that have been handed down through generations.</span><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important;"><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">One cannot speak of </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Madhubani</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;"> paintings without mentioning the themes that dominate this art form. The stories depicted range from ancient Hindu epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata to scenes from everyday life</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">.&nbsp;</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">These paintings also </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">showcase</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;"> the close relationship between humans and nature, with motifs of birds, animals, trees, and flowers adorning the artwork. It is as if the canvas itself comes alive, inviting the viewer to step into a world where mythology and reality </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">meet</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">.</span><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important;"><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">The process of creating a </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Madhubani</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;"> painting is as </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">rivet</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">ing</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;"> as the finished piece itself. Traditionally, this art form was exclusively practiced by women, who would use their hands, twigs, or brushes made from bamboo to bring their visions to life. The colors were derived from natural sources such as turmeric, indigo, charcoal, and vermilion.&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important;"><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Over time, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Madhubani</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;"> paintings have gained recognition beyond the confines of rural Bihar. Artists, both male and female, have taken this ancient art form to new heights, experimenting with </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">different</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">themes</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;"> and blending traditional techniques with modern influences. Galleries around the world now </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">showcase</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;"> the intricate beauty of </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Madhubani</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;"> paintings, attracting art enthusiasts, collectors, and scholars alike.</span><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important;"><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Yet, amidst the changing times, the essence of </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Madhubani</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">remains</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;"> untouched. It continues to be a medium for self-expression, a bridge connecting the past and the present, and a means to preserve the cultural heritage of a community. With every stroke of the brush, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Madhubani</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW90305487 BCX0" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;"> artists pass on their stories, their customs, and their love for art to future generations.</span><span class="EOP SCXW90305487 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}" style="user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span></p></p><span></div><a href='null'><div><img height='400px' width='auto;' class='img_dynaPost' src='/BlitzMobiImages/consumers/company551995499/mediafiles/pqQaMyr0240.tmp'/></div></a>

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