Indian Folk Art : Madhubani Paintings

"The origins of Madhubani painting or Mithila painting are shrouded in antiquity, and a tradition states that this style of painting originated at the time of the Ramayana, when King Janak commissioned artists to do paintings at the time of marriage of his daughter, Sita, to Hindu god Lord Ram. Madhubani painting has been done traditionally by the women of villages around the present town of Madhubani (the literal meaning of which is forests of honey) and other areas of Mithila. The painting was traditionally done on freshly plastered mud wall of huts, but now it is also done on cloth, hand-made paper and canvas.”

Technique: The art of Madhubani painting requires skill and implies a certain technique. This 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. The gaps between the two lines are filled with cross or straight lines. Colors are not used in linear paintings. 

These paintings are made from vegetable colors.

• Black - By blending soot and cow dung
• Yellow - From turmeric, pollen, lime, milk of banyan leaves,
• Blue -Indigo
• Red - Kusam flower juice or red sandalwood
• Green - wood apple tree leaves
• White - Rice powder
• Orange - Palasha flowers 

This is a traditional fork art form from India and has commendably succeeded in getting international recognistion. The colors used are bold and vibrant and the themes most prominently revolve around daily activities, nature, flora - fauna and Hindu deities. 

 Here's a little something i tried :)