Madhubani Mithila Painting Madhubani Bihar

Madhubani painting (also called Mithila art) is a folk painting tradition of the Brahmin, Kayastha, and Chamar women of Madhubani, Sitamarhi, and Darbhanga districts of Bihar. Traditionally painted on freshly plastered mud walls and floors for festivals, marriages, and rites, the art uses geometric patterns and vivid imagery of deities, marriage scenes, fish, birds, and sun-moon motifs. Natural pigments were made from turmeric, sindoor, neel, and charcoal. The GI tag and UNESCO recognition have made Madhubani a major export craft. Canvas and paper adaptations using poster colour are now standard. Major motifs include the Kohbar (wedding chamber painting), the Aranya (forest scene), and the Panchdevta (five deities) compositions. Women artisans from the Jitwarpur and Ranti villages of Madhubani district are the primary producers.