Published By: Nirtika Pandita

Beginner's guide for Madhubani painting

Through these simple steps, learn how to do Madhubani painting

An ancient painting style that originated in the Mithila region, now in Nepal, is widely practiced in the Madhubani district of Bihar and adjoining areas. The painting is characterized by its intricate patterns, mainly of eye-catching geometrical patterns, Hindu deities, and natural elements like trees. However, the unique factor of this painting is its usage of bright colours like yellow, red and leaving no blank space.

Its ancient history An age-old practice, some 2500 years ago, legend has it that the King of Mithila had asked the rural artists to paint the palace walls on the occasion of his daughter, Sita’s wedding to Lord Rama. While initially it was done on the walls on occasions, such as birth or marriage, and festivals by women, now with commercialization men too have started Madhubani painting that too on canvas, cloth and handmade papers. Artists to date mix cow-dung and rock-salt glue to the paints.

Madhubani painting styles Madhubani painting has five styles: Bharni, Kachin, Tantrik, Godna and Khobar. In the beginning, the Bharni, Kachin and Tantrik styles were mainly done by women of the upper cast revolving around religious depictions. And the lower castes drew the daily aspects of their lives and other symbols. But now, neither does the cast system prevail nor the monopoly over religious figures.

The beginners guide to Madhubani painting Well to begin with you can do it on paper or start straight away on the wall. However, there is basic equipment that you may require - a paper, black pen for outlining, watercolours, and a brush.

*Begin with sketching a half or two-inch-wide border, depending entirely on the size of the canvas. Remember, the border is the most important aspect of Madhubani painting.

*Conceptualize the painting design. Then start with the main character, either a Krishna, bird, tree, or mandala, leaving the filling of the remaining space for later. After you are done with your main motif in the center, add a few abstract elements that will support the main theme.

*Now heading to the blank spaces, it is done mostly with repeated detailing patters. There is no fixed rule to it and any pattern that blends well with the theme can be used.

*Now is the colour filling part, but first, decide your background colour and fill in the foreground. By doing so the background colour gives a contrast with the foreground colours making the painting appealing.

*After the background colour, start infusing bright colours in the rest of the painting. Begin with obvious colours like brown for a tree trunk, green for leaves, and so on, making it easy to visualize the rest of the colours.