Madhubani - The Concept & History
Madhubani, also known as Mithila Art, is a genre of East Indian art from the state of Bihar. This art is thousands of years old and is linked with the period of Ramayana. Madhubani Painting was first adopted by the court artists of King Janak of Videha, for the matrimonial ceremony of Sita, Janak's daughter, to Lord Ram. Since then, Madhubani has been a domestic art form of rural India, created by the women in the Mithila area. Interestingly, these women cover a wide variety of subjects, from the mundane to the mythical. They are known to be extremely meticulous and exacting in the techniques employed for such works.
The Details
Traditionally, Madhubani was painted over freshly coated mud walls. However, in present times, it has migrated to plastered walls, clothes, paper, and canvas, where men have also started contributing. The media for painting are varied, made of organic and other naturally existing minerals. A mix of lemon juice and milk of banana helps create yellow pigment. Otherwise, pure turmeric or yellow flower pollens are used. A mix of cow dung and soot is used for black color. Blue pigment is directly derived from indigo. Similarly, red comes from red sandalwood, green from leaves, white from rice flour, and so on. Cotton wool wrapped around the tip of a pen-size bamboo stick is employed as the painting tool here.
Madhubani Painting is distinguished for its instinctive tribal touché, earthy tones, and flat designs, backed by a force of raw energy. It is usually very intricate design, elaborated to such an extent that no part of the painting base is left blank. The patterns are quite imaginative without the rigid definitions of realistic representations, allowing a lot of scope for creative experimentation. The themes of these works are based on Hindu deities, mythology, symbolic spiritualism, rites & rituals, nature's forms, celestial bodies, flora & fauna, court scenes, historic events, festivals, social activities, wedding ceremonies & associated procreation, and childbirth. Some of the key featured objects are the Sun & the Moon, the holy Tulsi (Basil) plant, Cow, Lord Krishna, Lord Rama, Lord Shiva, Goddess Durga, Goddess Lakshmi, and Goddess Saraswati. One of the characteristic features of Madhubani Paintings is the use of geometrical shapes and decorative borders for filling the blank spaces. Border-work is a traditional practice for ornamentation of apparels and motifs.
The Artists
Sita Devi of Jitwarpur Village, Baua Devi and Ganga Devi pioneered the paper and canvas form of Madhubani. Some of the famous contemporary Madhubani artists are Sarita Devi (daughter of Baua Devi), Pushpa Kumari, Karpuri Devi, Mahasundari Devi, Godawari Dutta, Jamuna Devi, and Lalita Devi.
Conclusion
The ancient art of Madhubani continues to be highly popular today. Its large global market crowns the success and resourcefulness of ordinary women Mithila, who have made an indelible mark through the sheer complexity, dexterity, and liveliness of their art.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3186706
Madhubani, also known as Mithila Art, is a genre of East Indian art from the state of Bihar. This art is thousands of years old and is linked with the period of Ramayana. Madhubani Painting was first adopted by the court artists of King Janak of Videha, for the matrimonial ceremony of Sita, Janak's daughter, to Lord Ram. Since then, Madhubani has been a domestic art form of rural India, created by the women in the Mithila area. Interestingly, these women cover a wide variety of subjects, from the mundane to the mythical. They are known to be extremely meticulous and exacting in the techniques employed for such works.
The Details
Traditionally, Madhubani was painted over freshly coated mud walls. However, in present times, it has migrated to plastered walls, clothes, paper, and canvas, where men have also started contributing. The media for painting are varied, made of organic and other naturally existing minerals. A mix of lemon juice and milk of banana helps create yellow pigment. Otherwise, pure turmeric or yellow flower pollens are used. A mix of cow dung and soot is used for black color. Blue pigment is directly derived from indigo. Similarly, red comes from red sandalwood, green from leaves, white from rice flour, and so on. Cotton wool wrapped around the tip of a pen-size bamboo stick is employed as the painting tool here.
Madhubani Painting is distinguished for its instinctive tribal touché, earthy tones, and flat designs, backed by a force of raw energy. It is usually very intricate design, elaborated to such an extent that no part of the painting base is left blank. The patterns are quite imaginative without the rigid definitions of realistic representations, allowing a lot of scope for creative experimentation. The themes of these works are based on Hindu deities, mythology, symbolic spiritualism, rites & rituals, nature's forms, celestial bodies, flora & fauna, court scenes, historic events, festivals, social activities, wedding ceremonies & associated procreation, and childbirth. Some of the key featured objects are the Sun & the Moon, the holy Tulsi (Basil) plant, Cow, Lord Krishna, Lord Rama, Lord Shiva, Goddess Durga, Goddess Lakshmi, and Goddess Saraswati. One of the characteristic features of Madhubani Paintings is the use of geometrical shapes and decorative borders for filling the blank spaces. Border-work is a traditional practice for ornamentation of apparels and motifs.
The Artists
Sita Devi of Jitwarpur Village, Baua Devi and Ganga Devi pioneered the paper and canvas form of Madhubani. Some of the famous contemporary Madhubani artists are Sarita Devi (daughter of Baua Devi), Pushpa Kumari, Karpuri Devi, Mahasundari Devi, Godawari Dutta, Jamuna Devi, and Lalita Devi.
Conclusion
The ancient art of Madhubani continues to be highly popular today. Its large global market crowns the success and resourcefulness of ordinary women Mithila, who have made an indelible mark through the sheer complexity, dexterity, and liveliness of their art.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3186706