Ganesha

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

Ganesha is universally considered the remover of obstacles and is the deity first worshipped before any other. He is depicted either as a pictograph or as an idol with the body of a man deformed by a big belly and disproportionate limbs with the head of an elephant. Here is the dancing picture of Ganesha representing the colossal rhythmic flow of life. His trunk is hanging straight down which is indicative of the unmanifested static reservoir of energy. His potbelly signifies the bounty of nature and the major distortion of the deity, the elephant head, symbolizes the fountain of wisdom and knowledge.

Mouse is the vehicle of Ganesha, which is inconspicuously painted on the side but it does not in any way diminish its importance. Agni, who assumed the form of a mouse is that atomic energy which is procreation of life. Ganesha symbolizes the unity of the primeval forest denizen with man, the majesty of the elephant combining with the physical energy of the homosapiens.

Flowers appear on the paper, fill empty spaces, surround the central figure and create an auspicious environment.

We can safely say that the rural arts of the Madhubani are unique, for here coalesce a comprehension and knowledge of Sanskrit learning and culture, iconography, ritual and magic and the distortions and vitality inherent in the rural perceptions of the visual arts.

This description by Renu Rana.

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.