Scarlet Ganesha Against Colour-Blocked Background

$150
The humble origins of the art of Madhubani have evolved into a distinctive finished product. Devised by the rural women of Mithila, what is known as Madhubani painting today was a means for these women to adorn the mud walls of their humble dwellings. While the mud walls of yore have given way to canvases of varying sizes, to this day the distinctive style of this folk art remains intact.

The Madhubani painting that you see on this page is a fine example of this folk tradition. The canvas on which it has been executed is fashioned from layered handmade paper treated with cowdung, an authentic imitation of the cowdung-coated mud walls of the region’s olden homes. It depicts the boyish figure of Lord Ganesha kneeling upon a striped mat, His complexion an evocative shade of red. The yellow-coloured forehead emerges into a narrow trunk, and the narrow waist serves to bring out the generous curve of His chubby belly - both these are indispensable to the iconography of Lord Ganesha.

A statement colour palette characterises the central figure as well as the colour-blocked background. Strong scarlets set off by deep, rich pastels (yellow and blue, with functional hints of grey and brown). The jet black of His curls and the depth of His eyes contrast with the liveliness of the remaining colours. Together with the high-definition lines, this is a signature element of Madhubani art.

Item Code: DP28
Specifications:
Madhubani Painting on Hand Made Paper Treated with Cow DungFolk Painting from the Village of Madhubani (Bihar)Artist - Madhav
Dimensions 20.50 inch X 28.50 inch
Handmade
Handmade
Free delivery
Free delivery
Fully insured
Fully insured
100% Made in India
100% Made in India
Fair trade
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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