‘Madhu’ means honey and ‘bans’ is forest. Madhubani is hilly forest terrain in Bihar state in Eastern India . Madhubani, or Mithila, painting is a folk painting of northern India.The area of Mithila lies near the border of India and Nepal and carries a rich pastel of cultural legacy in art and literature.
Its heritage goes back at least 2,500 years and its celebrated figures include the Buddha and Mahavira.
It is also the birthplace of Sita, the central character in Ramayana.
Hence, her life stories are frequently depicted in the local art.
Madhubani art is inspired by the urge of Invocation of holy spirits, the divine power the God and their creation of blissful nature, flora and fauna.The paintings are traditionally based on mythological, folk themes and pastoral symbols. The central themes of most paintings are love, valor, devotion and fertility, though the approach may vary. So it is common to find scenes of courtship and marriages and symbols of fertility and prosperity like fish, parrot, elephant, turtle, sun, moon, bamboo tree, lotus, etc. in prominence. The paintings are normally depicted on mud walls during family events, ceremonies, marriages and also daily life. Bright colours depicting mythological scriptures, epics, legends make Madhubani a very attractive art form.
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| Ink pen on paper. 2011. Collection: Ipsa Bajaj. |
PS: Thanks to a very dear friend for the constant encouragement in 'MadhuBani' art! ;)
