Folk Paintings in India
Madhubani Paintings
- Traditionally done by the women of villages around Madhubani town (Bihar)
- Also called Mithila Paintings
- Common themes usually drawn from Hindu religious motifs
- Includes depictions of Krishna, Rama, Durga, Lakshmi, and Shiv
- The paintings depict auspicious occasions like birth, marriage, and festivals
- Flowers, trees, animals, etc., are used to fill gaps in the painting
- Traditionally painted on walls using rice paste and vegetable colors on a base of cow dung and mud
- The base has evolved to include handmade paper, cloth, and canvas
- Paintings are two-dimensional due to lack of shading
- Common features include:
- Double line border
- Bold use of colors
- Ornate floral patterns
- Exaggerated facial features
- Believed to have originated during the period of the Ramayana
- King of Mithila instructed people to paint walls and floors for the marriage of Sita and Rama
- Skill passed down through generations, primarily among women
- Gained recognition in 1970 when the President of India honored Jagdamba Devi
- Other famous painters include Baua Devi, Bharti Dayal, Ganga Devi, Mahasundari Devi, and Sita Devi
- Art has received GI (geographical indication) status due to its confinement to a specific geographical area