Madhubani and Mithila traditions
Madhubani art (also known as Mithila art) is a style of painting practiced in the Mithila region of India and Nepal. It is named after the Madhubani district of Bihar, India, which is where it originated and is the most active centre of production. Jitwarpur, Ranti and Rasidpur are the three most notable cities associated with the tradition and evolution of Madhubani art. The art was traditionally practiced by female members. Artists create these paintings using a variety of mediums, including their own fingers, or twigs, brushes, nib-pens, and matchsticks. The paint is created using natural dyes and pigments such as Ochre and lampblack are used for reddish brown and black respectively. The paintings are characterized by their eye-catching geometrical patterns. There is ritual content for particular occasions, such as birth or marriage, and festivals, such as Holi, Surya Shasti, Kali Puja, Upanayana, and Durga Puja.
Traditionally, painting was one of the skills that was passed down from generation to generation in the families of the Mithila Region, mainly by women. It is still practiced and kept alive in institutions spread across the Mithila region. Kalakriti in Darbhanga, Vaidehi in Benipatti in Madhubani district and Gram Vikas Parishad in Ranti are some of the major centres of Madhubani painting which have kept this ancient art form alive.
Mithila culture or Maithil culture refers to the culture which originated in the Mithila region of the Indian subcontinent. Mithila comprises Tirhut, Darbhanga, Kosi, Purnia, Munger, Bhagalpur and Santhal Pargana divisions of India and adjoining provinces of Province No. 1, Bagmati Pradesh, and Madhesh Province of Nepal.
Men and women in Mithila are religious and dress for the festivals as well. The costumes of Mithila stem from the traditional culture of Mithila. Maithil Kurta tied from left side with a (Dori)string and Dhoti with a Mithila Painting bordered Maroon coloured Gamchha which is the Symbol of Passion, Love, Bravery and Courage are common clothing items for men. Men wear Gold Baali in their nose which symbolizes prosperity, happiness and wealth inspired by Lord Vishnu. Also wear Balla on their wrist and Mithila Paag on their Head. In ancient times there was no colour option in Mithila, so the Maithil women wore white or yellow Saree with red Border but now they have variety and colour options and wear Laal-Paara (the traditional red-boarded white or yellow Saree)[2] on some special occasions, and also wear Shakha-Pola[3] with lahthi in their hand which is mandatory to wear after marriage in Mithila. In Mithila culture, this represents new beginnings, passion and prosperity. Red also represents the Hindu goddess Durga, a symbol of new beginnings and feminine power.
In this Saree Style, Saree covers upper body of women where they do not wear Blouse and the pallu of the saree is rotated around the neck and brought forward. In Maithil Drape of Mithila they used to take it like Odhni so that entire body gets covered since Maithil women didn't wear blouse and still In Mithila during Chhaith, the women of Mithila wear cotton Dhoti without stitching where women don't wear blouse which reflects the pure, Traditional Culture of Mithila. Usually crafted from pure cotton for daily use and from silk for more occasions, traditional attire for the women of Mithila includes Jamdani, Banarisi and Bhagalpuri and many more.
Many festivals are celebrated throughout the year in Mithila. Chhaith, Durga Puja and Kali puja is celebrated as perhaps the most important of all the celebrations of Mithila.
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