Auspicious Paintings for Someone

When I make a new Madhubani painting, I usually make it for someone. If there is no one to make a Madhubani painting for, I'll find some excuse and make it anyway.

So this time I made two Madhubani paintings for our maid Vimla. She has finished constructing an additional floor to her house and I thought some paintings would make nice gifts.

Some people wonder: "Paintings for a maid!!!" (instead you should give them to me).  Vimla has been working for us for over 8 years. She would differ from some other maids with her maturity and smartness. She doesn't know how to read very well, but she knows all about the housework, home remedies and has a love for art. She would always come to me when I paint and sigh: "Oh, so beautiful!". She likes the traditional, colorful, "overcrowded" Madhubani paintings. So here they are:

1. "VIMLA'S VILLAGE IN PITHORA GARH"

"Vimla's Village in Pithora Garh"

This painting is not about Bihar, nor about Ramayana. It illustrates Vimla's village in Pithora Garh. The place is mountainous, the hills are green and full of forests. Houses are built on the step like terraces and are multicolored. There are bunches of flowers, snakes and other wild animals. 

In the middle of this painting we can see a mandir (temple), which is exactly as the one in Vimla's village - tiny, with a huge bell in the middle. Many people are gathered to perform the havan ceremony (pooja - prayer, offering).  The occasion is positive. We can see women sitting on the left and men - on the right. They don't necessarily sit opposite but often they do too.  Various fruits (a banana, pomegranates, coconuts are scattered over the place - they are  prashad (offering). The fire and incense sticks are at the center, symbolizing the life and action. The snakes are there to show that, although everything goes in its normal pace, there is always something more, something invisible, something more meaningful, even paranormal to the routines of people's lives. The men wear a Pahari topi - a traditional cap.

Before coloring

2. "RADHA AND KRISHNA ON A TREE"

"Radha and Krishna on a Tree"

Many would say that Radha-Krishna on a tree Madhubani painting theme is overused and unoriginal. As a folk art it tends to repeat itself.

When I was at the folk art fair the last time, I sat by the Madhubani stand on the floor and went through all the paintings they had. I wanted to learn something, to ask the questions, to make a video. The boy who sold these paintings said he was too shy to talk in front of the camera, so I didn't put it on.

I was somewhat disappointed seeing that every single painting had ten or more copies of it. If I bought it for 3000 or 5000 rs, it would not have been the only one in India. It would be like swastik, made on every house during Diwali. Even then, I loved the small paintings made by the boy - his hand was inexperienced, the line was fresh and primitive, reminding me of the simplicity power that these villagers unconsciously possessed. It's always worth buying painting from a Bihar villager.

Before coloring

In this painting, Radha and Krishna are sitting on a tree, playing. Krishna is holding his flute and Radha is giving him a flower - a symbol of "I like you". The tree is near a river or a pond that is full of fish. Turtles symbolize prosperity and good luck to the one who glares at this painting. The numbers also play an important part in Madhubani symbolism (and in India in general). While in Europe odd numbers symbolize luck, success, long life and prosperity (3, 7) and buckets consisting of even numbers are only given during funerals, in India it's the opposite. 

There are 8 turtles and 8 fish, eight being a super lucky 2 multiplied by 4. In Feng-Shui (Vastu-Shastra in India), it is said that if there is disharmony between the husband and wife, paintings and sculptures that symbolize the two should be placed around the house and no mirrors to make them four! So this Radha and Krishna symbolizes the two, the two lovers, husband and wife, masculine and feminine energies or whatever you like to call it. It is supposed to bring some oneness and harmony into your family.

I think it's great to made up your own symbols. One dream interpreter has said that there can't be a dictionary of symbols to interpret the dreams, because different symbol means different things for each of us. Instead, we should find themselves their meanings. I think this can apply to Madhubani painting too. I wish you good luck making your versions of auspicious paintings for your friends, family and strangers!!! 

MORE INFO:

Size: 15.5" x 22.5"

Marker: "Stic Boldmarker" permanent extra fine black marker 

( ₹ 10);

Paint: "Fevicryl Hobby Ideas" acrylic colors for fabric & art painting 

( ₹ 170 per 10 color box);

Paper: Handmade, naturally yellowish brown 

( ₹ 20 per sheet.)