Mithila Paintings

These paintings are made by the women of Mithila, a culturally rich region in Eastern India. The paintings are made for ritualistic purpose and are used simultaneously with the religious rituals performed by the priests. Thus, these women who make these paintings take a predominant position in the religious rituals. They are not the kind of quiet, submissive women the world imagines them to be. 

No religious rites can be observed without the art and performances observed by the women in Mithila. They also take the dominant position in taking all the decisions inside and outside the house. Men always consult their women and the women have the last word in the decision-making process. This community is spread on both sides of the Indo-Nepal border in the Eastern India.

Almost every woman in Mithila knows how to make these paintings, because not only is their artistic skill greatly appreciated, but their paintings give them a dominant position in the rituals, in which in other parts of India the priests hold the pre-dominant position. Along with making these ceremonial paintings, they also sing songs, parallel to the Sanskrit hymns chanted by the priests. Thus, women perform rites that are parallel to the rites performed by the priests. Without these rites by the women, no ceremony is regarded as complete in Mithila.

The paintings are made on walls, on floors and on handmade paper. Vegetable dyes are used. No mill-made paper or synthetic chemical paints are used in these paintings. Thus, these paintings are made in an environmentally friendly manner.

Now, the Indian government is promoting Mithila paintings as the rich cultural heritage and as a way to empower women.

Contact - artandheritage@gmail.com