Madhubani Paintings

Researched and presented by

Saloni Yadav
Pallavi
Introduction
• Madhubani is a traditional folk art of Mithila
region of Bihar(India) and Nepal, made on
canvas, cloth or cow dung washed hand
paper.
• The word “Madhubani” literally translates
into ‘forests of honey’.
• Commonly depicted subjects in Madhubani
paintings are Ardhanarishvara (depicted as
half male and half female which is believed
to be a composite androgynous form of
the Hindu God Shiva and His consort Parvati
- a unison of supreme powers), Mythological
characters (Ram, Sita, etc), Marriages,
Festivals, Sun and Moon and many more. Ardhanarishvara
Origin
• Madhubani painting/Mithila painting originated in a small village,
known as Maithili, of the Bihar state of India.These paintings were
traditionally created by the women of various communities in
Mithila region of India and Nepal.
• Traditionally, painting was one of the skills that was passed down
from generation to generation in the families of the Mithila Region,
mainly by women.
• It is still practiced and kept alive in the institutions spread across
Mithila region. Kalakriti in Darbhanga, Vaidehi in Madhubani,
Benipatti in Madhubani district and Gram Vikas Parishad in Ranti
are some of the major centers of Madhubani painting which has
kept this ancient art form alive.
History of Madhubani
• A 2500-year-old folk art, the history of Madhubani
paintings is said to date back to the time of
Ramayana, when king Janaka asked an artist to
capture his daughter Sita’s wedding to prince Rama.
These paintings were usually created by women on
walls and floors of homes during festivals,
ceremonies or special occasions.
• Mithila painting or Bhitti Chitra was discovered in
1934 when a massive earthquake hit Bihar. The
British Colonial officer of Madhubani district,
William G. Archer chanced upon these paintings
in the interior walls of the homes while he was
examining the damage caused by the quake.
Social Structure and Art
• Madhubani paintings have five different
styles, called Bharni, Katchni, Tantrik,
Kohbar and Godna.
• Until the 1960’s, the Bharni, Tantrik and
Katchni styles were practiced only by the
women of the upper caste. The themes of Kachni
these painting were based on depiction of
gods and goddesses.
• The painters of the lower class, on the
other hand, depicted their daily lives and
stories in their paintings.
• Today, this class divide has vanished with
painters painting across all the five styles. 
Godna
Different schools of Madhubani Paintings
• Kachni style of painting, usually practiced by the Kayasta community
employs only one or two colors, black and vermillion. Kachni literally
means ‘line’. The artists rely on delicate fine lines enlivened with a
variety of patterns using hatching and stippling.
• Bharni style of painting practiced by the Brahmin community employs
bold black outlines to clearly define the subject.Bharni literally means
‘filling’. The enclosed areas are filled with vibrant colors. The style is
flat with no attempt at creating depth or ‘shading’.
• Godhana style consists of small stick like figures geometrically
organized in parallel lines, concentric circles or rectangles. Some of
the paintings are then filled with color, others simply drawn in
black.Tattoo paintings are generally painted by the Dusadh
community.
 Styles and Designs
• The themes used in these paintings often revolve
around Hindu deities like Krishna, Rama, Lakshmi,
Shiva, Durga and Saraswati. Also, heavenly bodies like
the Sun and the Moon often form the centerpiece of
Madhubani paintings. 
• One can also find paintings based on the scenes from
the royal courts and social events like weddings. The
usage of geometrical patterns is pretty much apparent
in these paintings.
• Typically, the paintings will also have a margin or a
border embellished with geometrical patterns or
flowers or lotus.
Materials and Colours
• The art of Madhubani painting technique requires simple raw materials
that are easily located in villages such as bamboo sticks and cotton.
Firstly the cotton is wrapped around a bamboo stick to serve as a
brush. Then the brush is dipped in colors and applied on to the fabric.
No shading technique is used. The outline is done with double lines. Black from lamp soot
The gaps between the two lines are filled with cross or straight lines.
Colors are not used in linear paintings.

Vegetable colors are used making use of natural resources. For eg:
• Black – By blending soot and cow dung
• Yellow - From turmeric, pollen, lime, milk of banyan leaves, White from rice paste
• Blue -Indigo
• Red - Kusam flower juice or red sandalwood
• Green - wood apple tree leaves
• White - Rice powder
• Orange - Palasha flowers Yellow from Turmeric Paste
Process
• The first choice any artist makes is the subject of
the painting, no matter what the material - paper
or fabric.
• Once that is decided and sketched out roughly
with pencil, the shapes and figures are outlined
with black paint using nib-pens (brush, in case of Designs sketched out with pencil
fabric).
• Then these are filled with natural dyes and
pigments (now being replaced by fabric colors for
their longevity) using brushes, twigs and fingers.
• Generally no space is left empty; the gaps are
filled with flowers, animals, birds and even
geometric designs.
Black outlines being made with
nib-pen
A mono color painting being Color being filled in with brush
made with a nib-pen.

Black outlines being made with Another round of detailing with The completed multi colored figure on the
nib-pen. the nib-pen silk cushion cover
Madhubani Paintings saved a forest
• In 2012, more than 100 trees were decorated using
Madhubani painting. Shashti Nath Jha, who runs the
Gram Vikas Parishad, an NGO, started the initiative as
an attempt to protect trees that were being cut down
in the name of expanding roads and development.
This proved to be an effective way to make the
villagers aware of its consequences like climate change
and global warming.
• While the campaign was an expensive one (the
villagers used synthetic paint to make the artwork last
longer),not a single tree was cut down. The main
reason behind this was the trees being adorned with
forms of gods and other religious and spiritual symbols
like Radha-Krishna, Rama-Sita, scenes from Ramayana
and Mahabarata and other mythologies. This instilled
reverence and prevented the trees from being cut.
Identifying the Authentic Madhubani
• Madhubani paintings are characterized by figures that
have prominently outlined, bulging fish-like eyes and
pointed noses. 
• Generally Madhubani paintings are identified by the
fact there is no space in the painting/canvas left
uncovered.
• Madhubani paintings generally don’t carry any mark of
the creator.
• An original Madhubani painting is always UNIQUE that
is only one copy exists and is painted by a Madhubani
Artist recognized by the Government of India.
• In 2007,Madhubani Paintings were designated as a
Geographical Indicator.
No empty spaces on the
canvas
Current Business challenges
• Several styles and schools of Madhubani
Paintings have become extinct as there are
no practitioners of those styles anymore.
• Art Houses developed in Bihar mass
produce these paintings to meet the
customer demands.However this business
model doesn’t recognize hard work and
skills of the artists but focuses on the art
house thus more and more artists are
leaving the practice of the folk art posing
great dangers of the extinction of the
original and authentic artworks.
Future Potential of Madhubani Paintings
• Today, Madhubani art piques interest in art lovers
from different countries like USA, Australia, UK and
Russia thus it can contribute to the Indian Tourism
and economy by raking in more art lovers.
• Nowadays, Madhubani art is used to not only adore
as paintings in our homes or offices, but the designs
and patterns are also used on mugs, bags, cushion
cases, mouse pads, crockery and more. The designs
have also been used by fashion designers as
borders on different garments. From sarees, salwar
kameez, long skirts and palazzo pants are
beautifully designed in Madhubani art.
• Universally known as the women’s art, today the
creative world is seeing a gender shift where men
are seen adding their artistic touch to this
traditional art form.
Thank You