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 t-
shirts, 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