“Madhubani Art Workshop”

Usha Vakil

The Friends of Indian Senior Citizens Organization (FISCO) of Burlington MA held its seminar “Madhubani art workshop, Mithila art of ancient India” on August 9, 2022, at the Burlington Council of Aging. The presentation was designed to make seniors acquainted with the folk-art form and its geometrical patterns used during festivals, ceremonies, and special occasions  It is primarily practiced in Mithila region of Bihar and Nepal, hence the name Mithila or Madhubani art.

More than 50 seniors attended in person, and few joined on zoom platform.

Our multi-talented speaker was Ms. Anjana Bhargava, an Electronic Engineer, a Madhubani Art Coach, and an Ayurvedic Practitioner. She started the presentation by stating that this specific form of art was passed from generation to generation to adorn the houses of the region. This is one of many famous Indian art form that dates back 2500 years during the time of Ramayana and the paintings were mostly done by women on the walls and the floors. Overtime, this art  evolved and morphed from walls and floors to handmade paper, cloth and canvas and yet kept the integrity of the original theme and style. It has maintained the geometrical and mathematical patterns to sustain the tradition.

Ms. Bhargava discussed and showed the five styles such as Tantrik, Kohbar, Bharni, Godna, Katchni and special form.

The Tantrik style of painting is a distinct style representing the traditional and religious texts in a very precise manner and depicts Hindu mythological characters.

Kohbar style is one of the most popular forms of the style of Mithila art, its linkage to Hindu wedding ceremony and with its central theme of love and prosperity. Originally the paintings depict an assembly of symbolic images of the lotus plant, the bamboo grove, fish, birds, and snakes in union. This art form also goes by the name of Tantra Raj, Yoga Yogini, and Shiv Shakti, which means power with the blessing of Lord Shiva.

Bharni style is known for its vibrancy, colors and designs and paintings depict the pictures of Hindu gods and goddesses.

Godna style considered the most straight forward method, using bamboo and Kajal to make the designs. This art precisely signifies natural creatures such as animals, birds, plants, tree of life, and flowers. This painting style is  done on canvas and people also tend to use them as a tattoo.

Katchni has a unique individual style, monochrome or only two colors. Kachin painting style has come a long way from a small town of Ranti village in Madhubani District. The distinction in this art form is in the linework of the paintings. These paintings primarily depict animals, flowers, and other natural scenes.

This ancient art form and the tradition has been kept alive, preserved, and enhanced by efforts of many women who valued and believed in sanctity of this art form. There are a few well known pioneers of this art form.

Sita Devi â€“ Though Madhubani art was practiced for many years by the womenfolk of Mithila, it was Sita Devi who brought this art form under the limelight. She was honored with the State Award by the government of Bihar in the year 1969 and that is when this art form received national recognition. Another art pioneer was Ganga Devi who received Padma Shri award by the President of India in 1984

The interactive presentation was followed by rendering of a few paintings and the audience was encouraged to participate. Fisco  provided Paper and supplies, and the participants enjoyed drawing the assorted styles.

The event was followed by the survey where audience had comments ranging from ”very interesting to mentally stimulating.” Other comment mentioned the concentration and focus intensive art form with a flavor of meditation while drawing. After the seminar, hot vegetarian meal was served. It was sponsored by Minuteman Senior Services and supplied by Zaika Restaurant of Woburn.

A grant from Community Health Network Area (CHNA) 15 (Mini) supported this event.

Friends of Indian Senior Citizens is actively engaged in improving the mental health, nutrition, and good physical health of South Asian seniors. We invite you to visit “thefisco.org” for information about our programs. The next seminar, “Safety in home and dealing with grief and loss’  is scheduled for Tuesday September 6 from 10:30 – 11:30 AM at the Burlington Senior Center and on Zoom. A free hot Indian vegetarian lunch will be served.

Please come, join us for the hot vegetarian lunch on every Wednesday at Burlington Council on Aging and make new friends. Write to Raman Gandhi, President of FISCO for more information and to join FISCO: ram2005gandhi@yahoo.com or thefisco@gmail.com.

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