The Madhubani meta-cluster districts of Madhubani, Darbhanga and Muzaffarpur lie upon the ancient land of Mithila famed for its cultural heritage, finding its origins in the Ramayana. It is believed that on the occasion of his daughter's wedding, Janaka; the ruler of Mithila asked his kinfolk to decorate the floors and walls of the kingdom with painting and thus Madhubani originated. True to their land, the people in this region continue to maintain a unique sense of culture and art.
Surrounded by the Himalayas on the north and the Ganga's water-network in the other three directions, it is believed that Madhubani's geographical seclusion aids the flourishment of this unique cultural mileu. Headed by the conservative Maithil Brahmins, this region is home to a strict caste discipline which seems to dictate all aspects of socio-cultural life, including its rich craft heritage.
Mithila's crafts exist within a delicate balance of all these factors, coupled with gender
roles - it has been observed that Madhubani paintings are only done by women; murals painted by Dushads (those on the lower boundaries of castes) depict the harsh realities of social divide.
Madhubani seems to draw its main influence from Hindu rituals, mythical figures, gods and goddesses. The artists also draw symbols from their natural surroundings which abound in aquatic flora and fauna. These natural motifs and linked with symbolic meanings - the turtle is a symbol of Vishnu, the Snake is perceived as the guardian of the underworld, and the lotus and bamboo symbolize female and male sexuality respectively. Ritual paintings accompany auspicious occasions and find their way on the walls of people's homes when newly weds arrive, or on the birth of a child.
Madhubani paintings have been prevalent in three forms, Aripona or floor art; Bhitti Chitra or wall paintings and Godana meaning tattoos. Natural colors of rice paste, turmeric and sindoor are traditionally used by the women to create such paintings. Wall paintings made by upper caste Brahmin women derive their themes from mainstream Hindu worship, whereas the mud murals made by the Dushads revolve around their epic, Mahagatha, and its protagonist, Raja Sailesh.
Though it is rather well known today, Madhubani was originally discovered by co incidence. Government officials touring the region in 1966 due to an ongoing drought discovered this art form and realizing its true potential, urged the women to start painting on paper for commercial purposes.That was the time when Madhubani broke free from its ritualistic ties and truly blossomed as an art form.
Most commonly sold as paintings on paper and saris, the commercialization of this art has come to empower the women of this region, otherwise plagued with gender differences and a strong patriarchy.
We at The Color Caravan have tried to further the scope of this art-form by partnering with individual artists and self-help groups co-creating one of a kind Madhubani crafts, hoping to reach more people and creating awareness.
Following are some of the products that we've created with our partner artists over last 2.5 years.
Check out some of our Madhubani art products currently available at our eStore.
(The Color Caravan owns the copyright for all the photographs in this post. Cannot be used in any form without permission.)
Bibliography: Handmade in India
Surrounded by the Himalayas on the north and the Ganga's water-network in the other three directions, it is believed that Madhubani's geographical seclusion aids the flourishment of this unique cultural mileu. Headed by the conservative Maithil Brahmins, this region is home to a strict caste discipline which seems to dictate all aspects of socio-cultural life, including its rich craft heritage.
 |
| Madhubani artist at work |
Mithila's crafts exist within a delicate balance of all these factors, coupled with gender
roles - it has been observed that Madhubani paintings are only done by women; murals painted by Dushads (those on the lower boundaries of castes) depict the harsh realities of social divide.
 |
| Madhubani artist at work |
Madhubani seems to draw its main influence from Hindu rituals, mythical figures, gods and goddesses. The artists also draw symbols from their natural surroundings which abound in aquatic flora and fauna. These natural motifs and linked with symbolic meanings - the turtle is a symbol of Vishnu, the Snake is perceived as the guardian of the underworld, and the lotus and bamboo symbolize female and male sexuality respectively. Ritual paintings accompany auspicious occasions and find their way on the walls of people's homes when newly weds arrive, or on the birth of a child.
 |
| Madhubani artist at work |
Madhubani paintings have been prevalent in three forms, Aripona or floor art; Bhitti Chitra or wall paintings and Godana meaning tattoos. Natural colors of rice paste, turmeric and sindoor are traditionally used by the women to create such paintings. Wall paintings made by upper caste Brahmin women derive their themes from mainstream Hindu worship, whereas the mud murals made by the Dushads revolve around their epic, Mahagatha, and its protagonist, Raja Sailesh.
Though it is rather well known today, Madhubani was originally discovered by co incidence. Government officials touring the region in 1966 due to an ongoing drought discovered this art form and realizing its true potential, urged the women to start painting on paper for commercial purposes.That was the time when Madhubani broke free from its ritualistic ties and truly blossomed as an art form.
Most commonly sold as paintings on paper and saris, the commercialization of this art has come to empower the women of this region, otherwise plagued with gender differences and a strong patriarchy.
We at The Color Caravan have tried to further the scope of this art-form by partnering with individual artists and self-help groups co-creating one of a kind Madhubani crafts, hoping to reach more people and creating awareness.
Following are some of the products that we've created with our partner artists over last 2.5 years.
Check out some of our Madhubani art products currently available at our eStore.
(The Color Caravan owns the copyright for all the photographs in this post. Cannot be used in any form without permission.)
Bibliography: Handmade in India
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