Bihar's Mithila Paintings

These are the beautiful Mithila Paintings from Bihar, India, exhibited in Surajkund Crafts Mela held during the month of February. It is an annually held fair in the state of Haryana. The place Surajkund is located just beyond the Delhi- Haryana border.

India’s one of the best known genres of folk paintings is the Mithila (Madhubani) paintings from Mithila region in Bihar state. Here the village women maintain a matriarchal dominance over this craft.

The learning of this mural painting culminates in the Kohbar (nuptial room), which acquires great sanctity in the social life of Mithila. Mythological figures find great prominence in these paintings. Hindu deities like Krishna, Rama, Siva, Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati are the most common subjects.

Selling these traditional paintings on handmade paper was the best alternative. They made three dimensional images from natural colours on cow dung treated paper.