Women in an Indian village and their creativity in the visual arts

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

This film project on Mithila women's visual arts is of spedal scientific significance since it challenges the prejudicial assumption made by Western culture that men's behavior patterns are creative and women's are imitative. This sexist ideological notion concerning creativity stems from the fact that in the West, the visual arts have been— and continue to be—a sphere dominated by male artists. To the contrary, in India, artisanal work, like manual work, does not carry social prestige. It is not practiced by men of high caste such as the Brahmans. In fact, these activities have been traditionally carried out by low caste women as part of the cottage industries. Female culture, particularly in Brahman households, has also developed a rich tradition—very much alive today—in the visual arts in relation to domestic occupations. A filmed documentation bears witness to the assertion that the relationship between gender and creativity is, in fact, a culturally determined phenomenon. ‘