Madhubani Paint ing
Published in August 2018 by the Fashion communication Department(2016 - 20) National Institute Of Fashion Technology Mithapurs farms, patna Bihar, 800001 Documented by Apurva, Priya, Madhukar, Rakesh, Sayee, Tanya All rights are reserved by NIFT.No part of this publication can be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical or photocopy without prior permission. Printed in India 4
CONTENTS
1. Introduction 2. Art Life 3. Through the lens 4. Mithila Art 5. Products
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The notion of education through handicrafts rises from the contemplation of truth and love permeating life’s activies. - Mahatma Gandhi
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Navlakha Palace, also called Naulakha Palace, is a royal brahmin palace situated in town of Rajnagar, near Madhubani in Bihar.
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M
adhubani once a part of old Darbhanga district was separated from it in the year 1972 as a result of reorganisation of the districts of Bihar. Madhubani represents the centre of the territory once known as Mithila. It has maintained a distinct individuality of its own and the reason somewhere lies in the traditional handicrafts that its residents have kept alive. This place is actually a hub of creative artist.
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Art Life
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ince India is an agro-based economy, the 56% of the Indian population is involved in agriculture. So to create a source of nonagricultural income, the All India Handicrafts Board and the Government of India have been encouraging the women artists in Madhubani to produce their traditional paintings on handmade paper for commercial sale. The recognition of Mithila painting around the world is the tribute to resourcefulness of women in Madhubani who are running their families with the help of their talent.
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“ You train a woman, you train a generation.”
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Dekhega India tabhi to sikhega India.
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Impact of an art is such that a tradition which was started by women as a pass time is now supported by their men on full time because it brings bread.
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It takes lots of patience and concentration to draw each line of this magnificent form of painting.
This art has been passed on from generation to generation as a possession. 15
Through the lens
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avlakha Palace, also called Naulakha Palace, is a royal brahmin palace situated in town of Rajnagar, near Madhubani in Bihar. This Palace was built by Maharaja Rameshwar Singh of Darbhanga. This Palace suffered extensive damage during the earthquake of 1934 and was not rebuilt thereafter. Now this palace is in ruinsThe oldest surviving Madhubani painting (done in the year 1919, on occasion of the marriage of Shrimati Lakshmi Daiji, daughter of Maharaja Rameshwar Singh of Darbhanga) is found in the gasauni ghar (the room where the family deity is kept) of this Palace.
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The artists of Madhubani put their gods on paper, their inspiration is the almighty and hence the place has beautiful temples.
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The essence of art is in the air
“Simple living and high thinking.�the residents prove this saying true in literal sense. 19
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Mithila Art
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riginally Madhubani painting is a form of bhitti Chitra which means wall art and this ancient art form of Madhubani is a heritage rooted in the rhythms of Hindu ritual life. Generally, a feminine expression, the themes and motifs of Madhubani are drawn from a palette of mythical figures, gods and goddesses, ritual activity and very importantly local flora and fauna and story of local heroes. The region of Mithila is a low-lying land which is generally flooded in wet seasons and this inspired the women of Madhubani to draw their staple motifs of puren: lotus, fish, snake, bamboo and other elements of aquatic life. These symbols are not only used because of the regional status but also due to its symbolic meaning in Hindu rituals. This traditional art form was freed from its yoke to ritual life in 1966 due to a drought which stopped the progress and economic life of Mithila. Government officials who were touring the region for relief work were astounded by way of Madhubani painted walls. A few women were persuaded to paint on paper and from here Madhubani painting has never looked back since.
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They worship their art, to them it has now become a source of living. They put their heart on paper, it’s a language through which they tell stories - stories that they have heard from their grandmothers, stories that they are living and stories that they want to live.
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A brilliant hand on creating finest of details in the painting which can stun the greatest of the artists of our times. 24
With amazing color sense, they create magic on paper.
Their dedication is worth applause because it takes lot of hard work with patience which yields such fine artworks. 25
Women working at Integrated Design Developement workshop at Jitwarpur, Madhubani 26
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Products
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adhubani, originally started as bheeti chitra (wall painting)by women of Mithila has now travelled a long way from the walls to paper, canvas, textiles and now many possible surfaces.
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Madhubani painting on tussar silk
Madhubani painted Tie
https://www.amazon.in/Mad-e-in-India-Madhubani/dp/B00VEDJ3QE
https://www.craftedindia.com/products/ethnic-madhubani-art-ceramic-wall-hanging-decor
A wall hanging with madhubani painting 30
An umbrella with motifs of madhubani
https://engrave.in/madhubani-print-umbrella-ras-leela
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Madhubani painting has travelled a long way since its existing, starting from the wall it is now available on every possible surface. https://www.sweetcouch.com/womens/19577287-madhubani-shoe
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A beautiful place with beautiful people who overwhelmed us with their hospitality and helpfulness.
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“ Madhubani painting is a form of bhitti Chitra which means wall art and this ancient art form of Madhubani is a heritage rooted in the rhythms of Hindu ritual life. Generally, a feminine expression, the themes and motifs of Madhubani are drawn from a palette of mythical
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figures, gods and goddesses, ritual activity and very importantly local flora and fauna and story of local heroes
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