Why Madhubani is iconic: Madhubani painting (also called Mithila painting) is one of the world’s oldest folk art traditions, believed to have originated during the Ramayana era when King Janaka commissioned paintings for Sita’s wedding.
Craft essence: This GI-certified art is characterized by intricate linework, bright natural colors, symbolic motifs, and no empty spaces. Artists traditionally used mud walls and handmade paper as canvases; today, the art is applied to canvas, cloth, handmade paper, and lifestyle products.
Cluster identity: Practiced primarily by women artists of Bihar’s Mithila region, Madhubani art is a community-driven craft cluster, supporting thousands of artisans across Madhubani and Darbhanga districts.
Product Range
Category
Key Products
Traditional Artworks
Original paintings on handmade paper, canvas, and cloth.
Textiles & Apparel
Sarees, dupattas, stoles, kurtas, and scarves with hand-painted motifs.
Home Décor
Wall panels, coasters, lampshades, trays, cushion covers, and murals.
Gifting & Accessories
Stationery, diaries, bookmarks, gift boxes, and jewelry.
Custom Projects
Murals for hotels, museums, and cultural installations.
Painting Styles & Techniques
Style
Features
Bharni
Bold outlines, vibrant fill colors; traditionally used for deities.
Kachni
Intricate line work, monochrome or two-tone patterns.
Tantrik
Depicts tantric symbolism, gods, and yantras.
Godna
Tattoo-inspired motifs, minimal color use.
Kohbar
Wedding themes, fertility symbols, and auspicious motifs.
Process:
Surface Prep: Handmade paper or canvas is treated with cow dung wash (traditional) or gum arabic.
Sketching: Bamboo or nib pens used to draw outlines.
Coloring: Natural dyes (turmeric for yellow, indigo for blue, soot for black, pomegranate for green, red from kusum flowers).
Detailing: Fine brushwork; motifs fill all negative spaces.
Finishing: Protective coatings added for durability in modern markets.
Materials & Sustainability
Base: Handmade paper, cloth, or walls (heritage murals).
Colors: 100% natural vegetable and mineral dyes, often handmade by artisans.
Eco Advantage: Entirely handcrafted, zero chemical waste, and supports sustainable artisanal livelihoods.
Cultural Value: Each painting is storytelling art, depicting mythology, festivals, and rural life, making it a cultural collectible.
Cluster Infrastructure
Core Region: Madhubani, Darbhanga, Jitwarpur, and Ranti villages in Bihar.
Artisan Community: Over 20,000 artisans, majority women, many of whom are state and national award winners.
Institutional Support:
Mithila Art Institute (Darbhanga) trains young artists.
GI-certified cooperative societies support artisan branding and sales.
Export facilitated by EPCH, TRIFED, and State Handloom & Handicraft Corporations.
Tourism Link: Madhubani has become a global craft tourism destination, increasing international recognition.
Compliance & Certifications
GI Tag: “Madhubani Paintings” registered under Geographical Indications Act in 2007.
Cultural Recognition: UNESCO-listed intangible heritage craft.
Eco Labeling: Natural dye certification for exports; OEKO-TEX® standards met by select artisan groups.
