A deeper dive into Mithila art: Stories beyond the visuals

Co-edited by Binita Mallik, Dr Minu Agarwal, and Dr Laura Zizka, the book explores how Mithila art, rooted in rituals and tradition, tells stories through its visual elements. It showcases the unique techniques and materials used in creating these paintings, which often depict nature, Hindu mythology, and everyday life

Art appreciation extends beyond visual elements, according to Nobel Laureate Robert Shiller, who emphasizes the power of narratives. The book ‘Mithila Art: A 360 Degree Review Of Madhubani Painting (Adarsh Books, 2024) explores this concept through classical Mithila art, where each piece tells a story rooted in rituals and tradition. Co-edited by Binita Mallik, Dr Minu Agarwal, and Dr Laura Zizka, the book aims to bridge aesthetics with narrative, creating a more immersive art experience.

Throughout the world, folk arts have evolved and flourished as an integral part of the daily normal life of the inhabitants. They have carved a niche for themselves by conserving their uniqueness in terms of style and technique. The techniques and materials used in making of a Madhubani painting requires just flowers and other natural colours found easily in the nature. The motifs mainly consist of the nature, Hindu mythology and general life of the masses at large. The book has been published by Nirmal Kr Karn from Adarsh Enterprises.

Talking to Bizz Buzz, Dr Laura Zizka (Professor at EHL Hospitality Business School, Laussane, Switzerland), a co-editor of the book says, “What an inspiring topic and rewarding task! Amidst the hustle and bustle of the 21st century, this book reminds us of what matters most, where we come from, and who we are. Each chapter is full of heart and wisdom.”

Surprisingly two of the three editors have had no past connection to Mithila painting in their life. Binita Mallik is the only editor who has been born and brought up in Mithila culture. She has inherited the art from her ancestors and has put her paintings in several exhibitions. She is a well-known Madhubani painting artist in Delhi.

Binita Mallik, an artist and a poet, says that the best friend of a person is not a human but a skill. Every art has a particular language and grammar of expression.

The book contains insightful articles and interviews with a view to give full perspective to the readers about the Madhubani aka Mithila Art.

Minu Agarwal, a Professor at CEPT in Ahmedabad, says, “Every leaf, every feather, every fishscale telling a story - now on the risk of being lost forever. This book brings together the stories of the art, the artists and the admirers of Mithila Art, unfolding slowly into a unique panorama!”

This book is for those who appreciate the beauty of Mithila art and want to deepen their emotional connection with this ancient art form. It serves as a wonderful primer for exploring its rich cultural significance in the current milieu, beyond its obvious visual appeal, she added.

The artists whose contents have been covered in this book include Godavari Dutta, Bimala Dutta, Krishna Kumar Kashyap, Smriti Shree, Sarita Das, Binita Mallik, Ranju Das, Rajani Thakur, Arachana Raj. Shreya Sarda from Design Flyover has designed the whole book.

While releasing the book sometime back in New Delhi, Chandra Mauli Karn (IFS) said it proudly that he has presented Mithila art pieces to more than 100s of the foreign dignitaries and he did so because Mithila paintings deserve it. He recounted that some of the dignitaries in Africa said that the Mithila art has some striking similarity with tribal arts. He reminded that many initiatives have been taken from the Central government to promote Mithila Art.

Ashok Kr Coudhary from Sahitya Akademy said that though he belongs to Odisha still is a big fan of Madhubani paintings. Professor Prashant Das from IIM Ahmedabad is the managing editor of the book.