Elephants

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Name: Elephants
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: DB29
Price: 55.00 USD
Availability: InStock

AU$88

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Specifications

	DB29
	Madhubani Painting on Hand Made Paper
	14" x 11"

Delivery and Return Policies

	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
	Free Delivery

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Fully Insured

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100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

A Tapestry of Tradition: The Majestic Madhubani Elephant

Step into a realm where art and ancient lore intertwine with this exquisite Madhubani painting. Crafted with meticulous care on authentic handmade paper, this piece captures the essence of one of India's most cherished folk art traditions. The subject? The noble elephant, an animal steeped in centuries of cultural significance, brought to life through the vibrant and intricate artistry of Madhubani. The Madhubani art form, originating from the Mithila region of Bihar, India, is renowned for its geometric patterns, bold colors, and symbolic imagery. Historically, these paintings adorned the walls of homes, celebrating festivals, depicting mythological narratives, and marking important life events. Each stroke of the brush carries a story, passed down through generations of primarily women artists.

The Symbolism of the Elephant in Indian Culture

The elephant holds a place of immense reverence in Indian culture and mythology. It is often associated with strength, wisdom, loyalty, and good fortune. In Hinduism, Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity, is the remover of obstacles and the patron of arts and sciences. His presence is invoked at the beginning of new ventures, and his imagery is considered highly auspicious. The elephant also features in tales of the great epics, such as the Mahabharata and Ramayana, where these gentle giants play significant roles, symbolizing power and regal bearing. Royal processions often featured elaborately decorated elephants, a testament to their status as symbols of wealth and prestige. This painting, therefore, is not merely an depiction of an animal, but a visual representation of deeply rooted cultural values.

An Artistic Masterpiece in Madhubani Style

This particular Madhubani painting showcases a captivating arrangement of elephants, each rendered with the distinctive characteristics of the style. The artists have masterfully used a limited yet impactful color palette, with the dark, solid forms of the elephants providing a striking contrast against the natural hue of the handmade paper. The intricate details adorning their ceremonial attire – the saddle cloths and headpieces – are a testament to the painstaking skill of the artist. Geometric motifs and floral elements, typical of Madhubani, are subtly integrated, adding depth and visual interest without overpowering the central subjects. The repetition of the elephant motif creates a harmonious and rhythmic composition, inviting the viewer to explore the nuances of each individual portrayal. Owning this painting is like bringing a piece of living history and cultural heritage into your home, a beautiful echo of ancient traditions rendered with contemporary artistry.

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.

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