Madhubani paintings depict nature and Hindu religious figures.
Madhubani means “Forests of Honey”
Originating in the Mythili district of Bihar, Madhubani paintings were drawn by women on the plastered walls and floors of their huts, using fingers and twigs. Their hopes, dreams, and thoughts were expressed creatively through this medium.
With time, they started painting according to different occasions like childbirth, marriage, festivals, etc.
Most of the paintings were centered around Hindu deities like Rama, Krishna, Shiva, Saraswathy, and Durga, and their lives. Natural objects like the Sun, the Moon, and the tulsi plant were also painted.
Rich earthy colors extracted from nature were used in the drawings.
Traditional geometric patterns, abstract images of deities, and floral patterns are important characteristics of Madhubani paintings.
Five different styles of Madhubani art are 1.Bharni 2. Kitchen 3. Tantrik 4. Godna 5. Kohbar.
Ancient classics like Ramayana have references to Madhubani paintings.
In 2007, Madhubani paintings received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, since they were confined to a particular geographical area, with skills passed on through generations.
Further Reading
Find more related IAS Questions in the linked article.
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