There’s this rustic sense of charm that one can instantaneously find about anything rooted in the culture. Specifically, when one speaks of India, one can find myriad attraction points that appeal from the standpoint of language, rural culture, folk-songs, dance forms and even cuisine. It’s not to do with the rural and culture divide.
In the sense that not everything one finds glittery and decked in artsy gatherings in an urban setting is creative alone. Not nearly, if you have made a visit into the somewhat secluded, inwardly driven hinterland of a country like India. To artists- lovers of unbridled creativity, and those from different walks of life- what constitutes a great appeal is the subtly charming art of Madhubani paintings, one of the greatest exports of the state of Bihar to a wider world, whose boundaries do not cease with India.
This sensational bit of art formed by the dexterity of fingers, twigs, brushes, matchsticks using natural dyes and pigments has found its way to clothing attires and items of home decoration. That said, where aficionados of graffiti art are concerned, there’s a vivacious bit of news concerning Bihar’s Madhubani paintings. It is being shared that as many as 50 government buildings of Madhubani- the town from where one of India’s most celebrated painting art has emerged- shall now be painted in hues and designs of Madhubani.
In recent times, one of the most captivating sights in the town of Madhubani has been its old railway station, which was donned in the paintings- resulting from the effort of several artisans. It was reported that about 140 artists from Madhubani village came together to paint an area of around 7000 sq of the station’s premises in upholding the creative gravitas of a cherished art form. To elaborate a bit, the traditional meaning of the phrase ‘Madhubani’ is forest of honey and where Indian mythology stands, then one can find the mention of the said phrase in ancient Indian texts such as Ramayana.
One might ask as to why was the idea behind painting the town in Madhubani came about. If locals’ views are an indication, then in order to create a blend of the region with its very own paintings- in order to give revellers and travellers a first-hand experience of the unparalleled creativity of a traditional art-form that has found an international acceptance today. Essaying the contact of humans with nature, Madhubani art often incorporate birds and aquatic animals in memorable imprints- be it paintings or any other rendering of art. Currently, the painting process has started and shall be complete in an year.