Development of Motifs from Madhubani Painting – A Study in Bihar

Abstract

India is a country with rich traditions and religious culture, which are refl ected in the expression of folk art. Madhubani paintings, one of the most celebrated works of art from Bihar are accomplished by generations of skilled artists. The Indian folk arts play an essential role in creating new designs. These paintings are executed in a very simple manner. These paintings were not only aesthetically appreciated but also won critical acclaim. The study was carried out in two districts, i.e., Madhubani and Darbhanga. A total of 113 respondents were selected as "sample respondents" for the present study. Relevant statistics were employed to analyze the data. According to the study, the majority of respondents are between the ages of 46 and 55, with 70.80%being female. This art emerged as a tool of women's empowerment. All the women who made it did not possess considerable level of education. Mainly there were more respondents in the general category. The study attempted to develop motifs from Madhubani paintings to construct apparel and home decor items by using screen and block printing methods. A total of fi fty (50) motifs were gathered from secondary sources, and after critical analysis, 36 traditional Madhubani motifs were chosen. To achieve the desired complexity and beauty, these motifs were recreated and modifi ed in CorelDRAWX5 software. The selected motifs were divided into four distinct categories: fl oral and foliage, geometrical, animal and bird, and religious motifs. Total 10 top preferred designs were prepared from selected 36 motifs.