Preparing the Canvas for Madhubani Art

Dastkari Haat Samiti

Dastkari Haat Samiti

Madhubani Painting: Process- Remant and family (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Raw Material

As with most art forms in India, particularly amongst those associated with the Sanatan Dharma forms of Hinduism, the very basic underpinning of anyone practicing an art or craft skill views it as an anonymous activity in the service of their deity. They also associate deities with all forms of nature. Hence trees, rivers, forests, mountains and even animals and reptiles are accorded sanctity through a deity linked with its legendary beginnings. Preservation of the environment is therefore a sacred duty for practitioners of all skills. These beliefs were encapsulated in fables, songs and poems related to their craft. Before industrial colours became commonly available Madhubani art was famed for its instructions to all artists that colours made out of natural materials had to be extracted from flowers and plants that had fallen to the ground, they were never to be plucked, nor acquired from a neighbour’s garden. 

Madhubani Painting: Process- Remant and family (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Henna leaves, marigold, bougainvillea, cow dung, soot and rice powder or lime were eco-friendly materials from which artists extracted colours.

Madhubani Painting: Process- Remant and family (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Madhubani paintings were done using colours extracted from nature.

As a part of household activity, women prepared colours sourcing them from flowers, leaves and wild berries.

Bhagwan devi extracts natural colours and pours it into a container.

Madhubani Painting: Process- Remant and family (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The Aparajita flower is used as source for blue and is found locally.

Madhubani Painting of Bihar: Process- Remant and family (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Polo berries which are part of wild vegetation are used to get a deep red colour.

Madhubani Painting of Bihar: Process- Remant and family (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Singar ka phool of singar flower is used to obtain a yellow.

Madhubani Painting: Process- Remant and family (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Flowers and the labour required to give a natural colour cheaper than buying industrial colours from shops, for those who are willing to make the effort.

Bhagwan Devi uses natural colours for authenticity.

Madhubani Painting: Process- Remant and family (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Preparing the canvas

The base of the painting is given a coat of cow dung to preserve the painting from insects. Artists use  cow dung wash on paper to create a background closer to that of wall paintings. It also acts as an insect repellent.

Madhubani Painting of Bihar: Process (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Bhagwan Devi, Remant's mother use a cow dung wash on the paper, creating a background closer to that of wall paintings. It also acts as an insect repellent.

Madhubani Painting of Bihar: Process- Remant and family (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The pale brown wash is spread a across the entire paper.

Madhubani Painting of Bihar: Process- Fine detailing (2019) by Bhagwan DeviDastkari Haat Samiti

Painting the canvas

Thin sticks with thread wrapped around one end formed the original brushes. Today artist’s brushes are bought from shops. Black sketch pens are also used now for very fine outlining. The base of the painting is given a coat of cow dung to preserve the painting from insects. Each painting has a meaning and a story which makes it easy for artists to adopt new subject matter based on their own experiences and personal stories.

Madhubani Painting of Bihar: Process- Fine detailing (2019) by Bhagwan DeviDastkari Haat Samiti

This style of painting is locally known as Godna. Here, a mandala is created in concentric circles.

Madhubani Painting of Bihar: Process (2019) by Bhadwan DeviDastkari Haat Samiti

The shapes and figures are outlined with black paint using nib-pens. This painting revolves around the life of women.

Madhubani Painting of Bihar: Process- Fine detailing (2019) by Bhagwan DeviDastkari Haat Samiti

Bhagwan Devi is the prime artist in her family although her son Remant is now an energetic and enthusiasts proponent and practitioner who travels to other countries with confidence to conduct workshops

Madhubani Painting of Bihar: Process- Fine detailing (2019) by Bhagwan DeviDastkari Haat Samiti

Godna figures are usually much smaller and finer than in the Madhubani style..

Madhubani Painting of Bihar: Community - Ranjit Paswan's family (2019) by Mahanava DeviDastkari Haat Samiti

Mahanama Devi and her son Ranjit Paswan belong to the Paswan community and are artists in the Godna style from Madhubani.

The style is largely limited to black ink but some colours creep in, influenced by the main Madhubani style.

Madhubani Painting of Bihar: Community - Ranjit Paswan's family (2019) by Mahanava DeviDastkari Haat Samiti

Mahanama Devi still works on a few of the finely executed paintings.

She can be seen here working quietly with deep concentration, making the most intricate of drawings using her own sensibilities and innate talent.

Madhubani Painting of Bihar: Painting process (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Painting on Cloth

Madhubani or Madhuvan as it was earlier known, means a ‘forest of honey’. The image of a forest is present in almost all paintings of this Mithila region. Epic heroes from mythology are shown dallying or paying penance or wandering to hunt in forests. The richness of nature and the sacredness of all that the forest offers for sustenance is always part of the pictorial landscape while invoking blessings in paintings created on walls on ceremonial occasions. Artists like Remant Kumar have started experimenting with different materials and making contemporary products.

Madhubani Painting of Bihar: Painting process (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti

A group of women work with Remant Kumar. He guides them to do contemporary products in the Madhubani style including painting on fabric using fabric colours.

Madhubani Painting of Bihar: Painting process (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Remant Kumar trains young girls to assist him in decorating clothing like saris and stoles.

Madhubani Painting of Bihar: Painting process (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Instead of using a nib, the girls use a brush to paint.

Madhubani Painting of Bihar: Painting process (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Colours are added after the outlines are done.

Madhubani Painting of Bihar: Painting process (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Coloured base material is often used for garments

Madhubani Painting of Bihar: Painting process (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Remant’s group consists of the newer generation as well as experienced women.

Intricate work is done by many in the group.

Madhubani Painting of Bihar: Process (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Chandarakala Devi paints an intricate design in Madhubani art on a sari.

Madhubani Painting of Bihar: Half of Godna painting (2019) by Mananama DeviDastkari Haat Samiti

Credits: Story

Text: Jaya Jaitly
Photography: Chirodeep Chaudhuri
Artisans: Reemant Kumar Mishra and Ranjeet Kumar Paswan
Ground Facilitator: Ankit Kumar
Documentary Video: Chirodeep Chaudhuri
Curation: Ruchira Verma

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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