Peacocks Perched on Tree of Life with Fishes

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

$40

The Tree of Life is one of the most recognizable motifs in art. It is popular in Hindu art and beyond thanks to its universal appeal to all being’s claim on life and living. The Tree of Life is a recognizable symbol of life, it’s branches and roots symbolize growth (and in extension, the expanse of the universe). Indeed, no matter where you are, a piece with this Tree motif will remind one of life at first sight.

This Madhubani interpretation showcases the Tree of Life with a unique artistic touch. This style of painting uses natural colors to make the painting come alive. Take for example the trunk, branches, and leaves of the tree which are all unified with solid brown coloring. At the foot of the tree is a pair of peacocks. This majestic bird holds significance as India’s national bird and the vehicle of the God Kartikeya, son of Lord Shiva. These birds embody grace and power, capturing the beauty of life with their eye-catching plumage. Such vibrancy is also depicted in this painting. The pair of peacocks also has details of fish on their bodies. Fish also embody life, as the Madhubani people consider it as one of the first animals to live thanks to the sacred rivers. The fish is a fitting element on this artwork depicting the life (tree) and the celebration thereof (majestic peacock). It carries a traditional Madhubani color palette involving natural hues such as brown, green, red, orange, and blue.

Quantity

Notify me when this item is available

Item Code:	DO51
Artist:	Poonam Devi
Specifications:	Madhubani Painting on Hand Made Paper Folk Painting from the Village of Madhubani (Bihar) Artist: Poonam Devi
Dimensions	7 inch x 21 inch

Handmade

Free delivery

Fully insured

100% Made in India

Fair trade

Colors of Tradition: Exploring the Artistry Behind Madhubani Paintings

Madhubani painting is also known as Mithila art as it is practiced in the Mithila region of India and Nepal. It has specifically originated from the Madhubani district of the state of Bihar. Traditionally, the women of this region created these paintings and in recent years, it has become a widely practiced art and has now become renowned throughout the world. This art expresses the creativity and culture of the people of Mithila and is passed from one generation to another. In this way, the heritage of Madhubani art has been preserved for many decades. The subjects of these paintings are usually religion, love, and fertility. Sometimes, social events like festivals, weddings, and royal court are also depicted in the paintings. The most commonly painted designs and themes are the forms of Hindu Gods and Goddesses such as Ganesha, Shiva, Saraswati, Lakshmi, Krishna, and Ram. The characteristic features of Madhubani paintings are their vibrant colors and eye-catching geometrical patterns. The empty spaces are filled with traditional motifs such as floral and foliate patterns, animals, birds, geometrical structures, and other designs. The local artists create these paintings using a variety of items such as matchsticks, twigs, brushes, pens, or even their own fingers. The paints are usually made with natural dyes and pigments.
As simple as it may seem, the making process of the world-famous Madhubani paintings is certainly not easy and requires lots of hard labor.

Traditional Madhubani paintings are done either on cloth, handmade paper, or canvas. Select the medium of painting as per your choice. If you have chosen cloth, attach it to cardboard to make a solid base. The making of the painting begins with making a double-lined border. This is a very important step because the border is filled with various geographical shapes and patterns or other motifs. The average width of the border is 1.5 - 2 cm. Now that the border is created, you will be left with a blank middle space. This is the main workspace. Start drawing your choice of figure, designs, and shapes. These must be relevant to the Madhubani painting themes.

When the key design has been made, the empty spaces in between are filled with some designs.
Now is the time to color the painting using vivid shades and hues. Colors in Madhubani are sourced from nature; Indigo is used to produce blue, flower juice produces red, turmeric gives yellow, leaves produce green, cow dung mixed soot gives black, and rice powder gives white.

To paint these colors, the artist uses a bamboo stick and wraps cotton around it. This acts as a traditional brush.
The entire painting is now painted using this special brush with natural vibrant colors. · However, in modern times, the common brush is used and instead of natural colors, artists prefer to use acrylic paints.

Since the entire painting is made with natural materials and colors, it appears simple yet enriching. Originally, this art was created on mud walls or soil grounds but when it evolved over many years, the people of Madhubani started to make it on fabric and paper. Today, this art has become globalized and is receiving worldwide attention and appreciation.

Products related to this item