Workshop on Madhubani Painting at AKA,H

There was a buzz in the Aga Khan Academy, Hyderabad on 7th October 2014. Students were in and out of the Junior School library.  Mr. Amit Kumar Dutt from Bihar was in the school to share his practices as a Madhubani artist.



The workshop started with the origin and history of Madhubani painting. Mr. Amit told the students the story of King Janak who commissioned artists to create paintings on the walls of the houses for the wedding of his daughter, ’Sita’ to the Hindu god Lord ‘Ram’. It has since become a tradition in Bihar on the wedding of daughters.

He also told them that the people of Bihar not only consider these paintings to be auspicious but even a blessing for the new married couple. Originally done by women on freshly plastered walls, these paintings are now done on paper, fabric, canvas and various other medium.

Madhubani painting depicting Sita and Lord Ram's wedding

Mr. Amit told us that he started practicing this art when he was just 8 years old and spoke about the tradition of handing down this art and skill from one generation to the other without any formal training. He enlightened us about the traditional ways of painting with bamboo sticks and natural dyes made by leaves and flowers - yellow from turmeric powder, black from soot, blue form the indigo plants' leaves. He brought a variety of Madhubani paintings to exhibit which were made by him and his family members depicting traditional Hindu deities, works inspired by nature showing the tree of life, sun, moon and animals. The works were full of intricate floral, animal and bird motifs, and symmetrical geometric designs to fill up the gaps. Mr. Amit gave the students a demonstration of the different kinds of styles in Madhubani painting – Kachini: filling up an area or a section of painting with lots of lines and Bharani: filling up an area or a section of painting with dyes . Some students not only interacted with the Artist but were also lucky enough to get the opportunity to paint with him.

Students had an amazing day full of knowledge, colours and creativity!

Mr.Amit Kumar Dutt - the Artist himself!

students looking at the works

variety of Madhubani painting

story board depicting sita and lord ram's wedding

tree of life

tree of life

Mr. Amit giving students a demonstration 

free hand drawing

Students observing the artist

Artist interacting with students

at work!

students trying it out!

exciting!

Students of Grade 7 were inquiring into the Folk art in the Art room and were in the process of creating their own art Madhubani paintings. Students decided to get their works to Mr. Amit and get some tips about the folk art from the Artist himself.

Mr. Amit givingg Illyan some ideas to fill the background of his Madhubani painting