Madhubani Paintings

 ORIGIN
Madhubani painting comes from the Indian villages of Madhubani and Mithila in Bihar. These paintings are done on various mediums such as cloth, hand made paper and canvas. The main themes of Madhubani paintings contain images of Hindu deities such as Krishna, Ram, Shiva, Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. Also you will be able to find beautiful Madhubani paintings of sun, moon and tulsi or the sacred basil plant revered very much by the Hindus. Scenes of royal courts and social events such as celebration of wedding are also beautifully depicted in Madhubani paintings.

 What is a Madhubani Painting?

The art of Madhubani painting requires skill and implies a certain technique. This technique requires simple raw materials that are easily located in villages such as bamboo sticks and cotton. Firstly the cotton is wrapped around a bamboo stick to serve as a brush. Then the brush is dipped in colors and applied on to the fabric. No shading technique is used. The outline is done with double lines. The gaps between the two lines are filled with cross or straight lines. Colors are not used in linear paintings.

 Some common themes & Symbols that adorn a Madhubani Painting

Usually, the central theme of these paintings is Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The theme then evolves into a story with the use of symbols. Lord Rama hunting the Golden Deer, Worship of Lord Shiva, Goddess Kali, Goddess saraswati, goddess Durga, fish, peacocks,event in lifecycle etc.

 Availability of Madhubani Art

What started once as a source of non agricultural income, today, occupies a very important place in Indian Regional crafts. These paintings are available throughout the world in various forms such as wall hangings, greeting cards, Madhubani tshirts, saris (sarees), bed spreads etc.

Kosa Silk Saree

 Tussar Silk, also known as Kosa Silk, is valued for its purity and texture. Kosa Silk is drawn from cocoons especially grown on Arjun, Saja or Sal trees. Available naturally in shades of gold-pale, dark, honey, tawny, baccoto beige, creamy, etc. Tussar Silk is considered an ideal as well as auspicious wear for marriages, religious ceremonies and other important functions. This original rich gold shade Tussar is dyed with colours of a very special hue and depth. Earlier only natural dyes were used which included yellow from the palaas flame of the forest, the Kusum Flower, the rich red pollen dust of the Rora Flower and the deep rose red from Lac. But with time the range of colour and motifs have increased dramatically.

 Color
In the vernacular, the myriad tints of silk sound as exotic as the Tussar saree itself Dhaniya (light green), Mas (deep blue), Kariya (black), Anchi (deep purple), Jamalla (purple), Darra (deep rose red), Katha (maroon), Took Lal (bright red), Narangi (orange), Piura (yellow), Rani (deep Indian pink), Malti (mauve pink), Phiroza (turquoise), etc.

 Motifs
The motifs and the patterns also continuously refer to nature and daily life Teen, Phulia, Chicholi Phool, Crown Phool, Rui Phool, Karan Phool, Chitpat, Kangoora, Sankari, Janjeer, Mandir, Ghungroo, Motim Chowk Choor, Singhaulia, Bhaonrai, Chatai, Karvat, Chowkda, etc., that are carefully chosen to enhance the beauty of gorgeous natural silk. The look of the Tussar Saree, plain or coloured, is so rich that it is a favourite choice for formal occasions. Apart from the saree itself, Tussar Silk is also used to make other dresses such as salwar-kameez, lehengas, dupattas, jackets, shirts and achkans. It lends itself beautifully to printing and painting and is being increasingly used innovatively in designer boutique.

Patola
 The patola saree is one of the finest hand-woven sarees produced today. Patola silk sarees are the pride of Gujarat. These sarees are created by using the resist dying technique. There are two types of Patola sarees:  Rajkot Patola: This is only vertically resist dyed (single ikat).  Patan Patola: This is horizontally-resist dyed (double ikat).  Patola sarees are known for their flaming bright colors and geometric designs interwoven with folk motifs. Every patola saree is one of its kind as it is created entirely with the imagination and skill of the weaver. Fabric in Patola Saree Patola saree is woven from silk called the patola silk. The patola silks are still made by a handful of master weavers from Patan and Surat known for their zari work.

 The Process

A Patola Saree takes 4 to 6 months to make, depending on how complicated the design is. The Patan patola is done in the Double ikat style, which is perhaps the most complicated textile design in the whole world. Each fabric consists of a series of warp threads and a single weft thread, which binds the warp threads together. Each one of the warp threads is tied and dyed according to the pattern of the saree, such that the knotted portions of the thread do not catch the colours. The result is that both sides of the saree look exactly alike as if it is printed on both sides with the same design, and can be worn either way. Design and Colour The weaving is done on simple traditional handlooms, and the dyes used are made from vegetable extracts and other natural colours. Flowers, animals, birds and human figures form the the basic design. Nowadays, there are new geometrical designs using the vegetable dye as well as chemical dyes. Patola silk sarees with bright colours are also enriched with zardosi, kundan, sequins.

Printed Silk Saree Of Delhi