Madhubani Painting Techniques

24 January 2025

Babra S.

Mithila Art and Madhubani Painting are the same thing, Mithala, taken from a name of a region in Bihar.

Traditionally, natural pigments were used, extracted from plants, flowers, minerals, and even kitchen ingredients in the art form. These pigments, when mixed with gum or milk, transformed into a vibrant palette, filling the Madhubani painting with life.

While Madhubani art painting traditionally depicted mythological stories and religious motifs, contemporary artists are incorporating narratives that reflect current social, political, and environmental realities

Madhubani or Mithila painting characteristics include the double-line technique, where the outlines are boldly emphasised with double strokes

Themes like women's empowerment, climate change, and cultural identity find expression in the Madhubani repertoire