DULARI DEVI
Context
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed gratitude for the gesture by Dulari Devi, an artist from Bihar's Madhubani, who presented him a sample of her artwork during an informal interaction with Padma awardees at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
About
- Dulari Devi is an Indian artist and illustrator, working in the Mithila art tradition.
- She practices both, the ‘Kachnhi’ (line sketching) ‘and ‘Bharni’ (colored) styles of Madhubani but has indicated a preference for the latter.
- She learned to draw and illustrate in the Madhubani style while she was working as a domestic servant in the home of Madhubani artist Mahasundari Devi.
- Mahasundari Devi introduced her to another artist, Karpoori Devi, who also taught Dulari Devi Madhubani art and techniques.
- In 2021, she was a recipient of the Padma Shri, a civilian honour granted by the Government of India, for her contributions to art.
Madhubani Painting
Origin
- Traditionally, created by the women of Bihar Mithila region.
Characteristics
- Traditionally done on freshly plastered mud walls and floors of huts.
- However, now they are also done on cloth, handmade paper and canvas.
- Paintings are made from the paste of powdered rice.
- Uses two-dimensional imagery.
- Tools used: Twigs, Fingers, brushes, nib-pens matchsticks.
- Colors used are derived from plants. Ochre, Lampblack and Red is used for reddish-brown and black, respectively.
- This painting is done with a variety of tools, including fingers, twigs, brushes, nib-pens, and matchsticks and using natural dyes and pigments. It is characterised by its eye-catching geometrical patterns.
Styles & Theme
- Madhubani art has five distinctive styles: Bharni, Kachni, Tantrik, Godna and Kohbar.
- Themes: Mainly religious. Depict Gods and Goddesses.
- Natural objects like the sun, the moon, and religious plants like Tulsi are also widely painted, along with scenes from the royal court and social events like weddings.
Centres
- Kalakriti in Darbhanga, Vaidehi and Benipatti in Madhubani district are some of the major centres of Madhubani painting, which have kept this ancient art form alive.
Recognition
- Madhubani painting has remained confined to a compact geographical area and the skills have been passed on through centuries.
- The content and the style have largely remained the same. Thus, Madhubani painting has received GI (Geographical Indication) status.
- Madhubani art has received worldwide attention.
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1771060