A Bihari Connection with Madhubani

I am writing this post a bit differently than usual.... so first things first –

This week's featured Sari: Tussar Silk with Madhubani Art

Tussar Silk

AND –

Madhubani Art

BOTH –

hail from my family's home state of Bihar!

For this reason –

while I may have nothing to do with the production of this sari,

I always feel so proud wearing it!

We have already discussed Tussar Silk in a previous post,

but in case you missed it – you can read it here.

Today let's talk about Madhubani art.

"Madhuban" means "forest of honey," from which Madhubani is derived.

Madhubani art hails from the Mithila region in Bihar. Historically its origins can be traced back to the era of the Ramayan (around 500 BCE to 100 BCE) when Raja Janak was king.

The story told is that when Raja Janak's daughter Sita was getting married to Lord Ram, he wanted to capture images of the event – but cameras and photography had not been invented yet. So, Raja Janak called upon artists to paint pictures of the wedding.

Just imagine the size of that wedding album!

The painting style that was used then became known as Madhubani.

The art form has kept the essence of a royal event and often depicts scenes of weddings, royal courtyards, and symbols of fertility and prosperity, which usually include the sun, the moon, fish, parrots, elephants, turtles, bamboo trees, lotus, etc.

Like most ancient art forms, the mediums used came from nature and included things found in trees, fruits, flowers, and spices - such as henna, marigolds, bougainvillea, cow dung, soot, and powdered rice paste. Fingers, nib pens, brushes, match sticks, and twigs were often the paint brushes.

The technique uses line drawings filled with bright colors or contrasting patterns. Initially, there were five different kinds of Madhubani art, differing by the five regions the art was practiced. These styles are Bharni, Godna, Katchni, Kohbar and Tantrik. However, over time the various varieties have merged into one style.

The style is distinct and can be spotted easily in a crowded room. This I know because it recently happened to me!

I was at an exhibition of Indian Chintz at our local Art Museum. I wore the sari from my last post (Khesh, story posted here). Upon seeing me, a lady I did not know happily said, "Madhubani!" Then she added, "Did you know Madhubani comes from Bihar?"

I smiled and said, "just like my family!"

She was also from Bihar and called the rest of her family to introduce us.

We happily bonded, all thanks to Madhubani Art.

That day I did not tell the lady that my sari was sold as Warli Art (not Madhubani), and I had happily lived with the impression that I had a Warli Sari since I purchased it. Warli Art is a tribal art practiced by the Adivasi community in western India. Both art forms, while similar, are very different. That night when I came home and was folding my sari, I took a closer look and now think that sari is also actually Madhubani - though it does have Warli elements in it ...both living in happy harmony together. I love when things live in happy harmony!

Though, I now need to find a true Warli sari ...because I don't have one in my closet, lol!

So now I am off to live in happy harmony with my computer while we look for Warli Saris to purchase!

See you all next week!

Love, Sari Sunday