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

St John in Wilderness - A Memorial to Earl of Elgin

Cenotaph of Earl of Elgin

James Bruce the Earl of Elgin was the only Viceroy who died in India. All other Viceroys went back to England after completing their term.

Lord Elgin died on 20th of November 1863, while crossing the swinging rope across the Chandra river at the age of 52. He is buried in the compound of this church of St. John the Baptist at Forsyth Ganj on the road to Dharma shala and McLeod Ganj.

The Church of St. John was built in 1852. It has Belgian stained glass windows donated by Lady Elgin Maria Louisa Lambton. The Church has Neo-Gothic architecture.

Church of St. John the Baptist, Forsyth Ganj on the road to Dharamshala

Contact - artandheritage@gmail.com

Kalabelia - Folk "Cobra Dance" from Rajasthan

Rajasthan the colourful state in Western India is famous for its many folk and classical art forms - both in visual and performative forms. It requires a lifetime to learn about its rich cultural heritage and to see its many cities, village and desert.

Amongst the many kinds of song-dance fares popular in Rajasthan is Kalabelia, a folk dance form performed by the women from a nomadic tribe. In this the women wear black lehnga-Choli-Dupatta the traditional dress of Rajasthan. This dress is covered with bright coloured stripes. The entire ensemble gives the image of a femal cobra to the women dancers.

These women dance in groups, singing to the beats of fast and lilting tunes of their Rajasthani folk song. The dance involves fast swirls and foot movements to the beats of the song. 

This dance is performed to propitiate the snake god Naga or cobra. In India, cobras are worshipped as semi-divie beings and are thought to bring prosperity, blessings and happiness to those who worship it. There is a secial festival instituted for the worship of the snake god. This festival is called Nagapanchami.

Outside Rajasthan, this dance form can be enjoyed at Surajkund in the month of February in a traditional handicrafts fair. The traditional artists from all over India come there to display their products and perform their arts.

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