- Fish
- Sun and moon
- Lotus
- Women
- Peacock
- Parrot
- Bamboo
- Flora and fauna
- Singada border
- Other borders
Originating in the Mithila region of Bihar, Madhubani is an intricate folk art form practised by the women in the region. According to legends, the Madhubani paintings were first created on the orders of King Janaka, who wished to commemorate the marriage of Lord Rama and Devi Sita, and bless them as they travelled through the region. This is one of the reasons why the paintings incorporate symbols of prosperity and fertility. The highly skilled Madhubani artists give great attention to details in creating this art resulting in every painting becoming a masterpiece. The paintings are traditionally made on the walls of the houses, however, owing to rising globalisation and urbanisation, the paintings today are made on a variety of mediums, such as papers, canvases, clothes, MDF to name a few.
Madhubani paintings generally incorporate the imagery of the things that are frequently found in the region of Mithila and Madhubani in Bihar. The natural surroundings and the lives of the people living there are beautifully intertwined. Consequently, this is also seen reflected in the Madhubani paintings.
Some of the recurring motifs in these paintings display the ways of living of the people. It gives an insight into the beliefs and traditions of the people who live there. It is therefore, all the more interesting to understand the culture via these motifs. Let us take a look at some of them:
Fish
Symphony of Quadrants - Fishes of Madhubani, Madhubani Painting by Ambika Devi
Fish is a recurring motif in Madhubani paintings. The people of Madhubani, Bihar understand the symbol of fish as the identity of the place. Fish holds great importance for them culturally as well as historically. It is also considered a symbol of fertility and prosperity.
In the Madhubani paintings, the symbol of fish is considered an auspicious symbol in the lives of the people of the region. Fish is abundantly available in the region and also most parts of Bihar due to the many ponds and water bodies in the region. Fish curry and rice is often the staple food of most people.
From the beginning of one’s life to the end of it, the people of the region believe fish to be an integral part of their lives. Fish is cooked and eaten as a delicacy at the time of one’s birth. It is also eaten after a few days of one’s death.
Therefore, fish is a powerful motif in the people’s lives which translates into their art. There are various stylistic ways in which fish are drawn in Madhubani paintings with vibrant colours and designs.
Sun and Moon
Sun in Madhubani by Ambika Devi
The symbol of Sun and Moon is another popular motif in Madhubani paintings. They are understood as divine entities and are worshipped on every special occasion such as on Chhath Puja, Bhai Duj, Satyanarayan Puja, and other festivals. The Sun, shining bright is a symbol of optimism that a marriage will bring light to the family.
Generally during these festivals, the Madhubani artists and the people create designs in the Madhubani style on the floor and walls. These alpanas (a decorative design) mostly have Sun on the left side and Moon on the right side of the designs.
In many rituals and festivals, the sun and moon, being revered as deified entities in this culture, have become an important part of every ritual.
Lotus
Fish and Lotus motifs in Madhubani
As with a lot of imagery in the Madhubani painting tradition, the representation of lotus flowers is also a symbol of auspiciousness, purity and prosperity. The lotus flowers are also an integral part of the geography of Madhubani, Bihar. It is often associated with female sexuality, comparing women to the tender petals of the lotus that stays strong amidst all its surroundings.
It is said that as with the lotus that blooms with its vibrant colour amidst a muddy pond, the representation of the lotus flower in Madhubani paintings is also understood as a sign of one’s life blooming with colours despite all the hardships that come in the way.
Lotuses are also used in the ritualistic procedures while worshipping Hindu gods and goddesses.
During the festival of Chauthchandra, a festival celebrated in the Mithila region of Bihar where people worship the Moon, the lotus flowers are the main offerings that are used during the ritual.
Women
Imagery of rural chores in Madhubani Painting by Vibhuti Nath
One of the most beautiful motifs in the Madhubani Paintings is that of women of the region. Village women are often represented in these paintings amplifying the importance of women in the community.
Historically, women have been making Madhubani art. They have always been at the centre of the art and cultural sphere of the community. It is because of their participation that Madhubani art has come such a long way. In recent times, men have also begun to learn the art of Madhubani paintings.
During wedding ceremonies, it is a tradition for women to make Kohbar. Kohbar is a certain style of the Madhubani painting, which is customarily made on a wall in the wedding chamber of the newly-wed bride and groom.
Hence, women are a symbol of the strong cultural and artistic ties that the community shares with each other.
Peacock
Vibrant Peacock in Madhubani by Priti Karn
The National Bird of India, the peacock, holds great significance in almost all folk and tribal paintings of India. Similarly, in Madhubani, peacock is a symbol of love and romance, an essential part of the wedded life. It is also a symbol of respect and integrity. A pair of peacocks together symbolise eternity, of love and prosperity. According to prominent Art Historian Jyotindra Jain, peacocks are a symbol of love and fertility. While W.G.Archer associates it with the Hindu deity Krishna, who often adorned peacock feathers. The importance of peacocks in Madhubani is also evident from the fact that the paintings sometimes also depict entire borders made out of peacock motifs.
Parrots
Vibrant Parrots
Parrots have been an important part of the cultural history of India since the ancient period. Numerous sculptures from the ancient period depict parrots, or association of people with parrots. During the mediaeval period, parrots played roles as storytellers or narrators in the illustrated manuscripts. The same is true for Madhubani paintings as well, that depict parrots as love birds. This makes them an important addition in the Kohbar paintings.
Bamboo
Imagery of a painting has a direct relationship to its surroundings. The Madhubani paintings use Bamboo to depict men symbolically. It is used to depict their lineage, and symbolises fertility, growth and stability. Just like lotuses are symbolic of women and their resilience, bamboo represents men, their ability to continue in a challenging atmosphere, as well as their perseverance for life. In the Kohbar paintings, bamboo represents purity and good fortune.
Flora and Fauna
Harmonious Nature Madhubani painting by Ambika Devi
As with a lot of folk and tribal arts of India, Madhubani paintings, too, encompass the essence of the region they originate from. Since the region of Madhubani boasts a rich variety of biodiversity, this is seamlessly represented in Madhubani paintings.
From the local plants and trees like tulsi that grow in the region, there is also evidence of the flourishing fauna in these paintings.
Animals and birds make up a significant part of Madhubani paintings. Snakes, tortoises, tigers, and elephants, are a common occurrence in these paintings.
Tortoise has a special meaning in the paintings. The longevity of the tortoise’s life span is related to the longevity of the life-long connection between the bride and groom during their wedding. It is thus an important motif in the Kohbar art. Elephants on the other hand signify a healthy procreation due to their long gestational period.
Singada Border
Peacocks in Madhubani by Vibhuti Nath
The Singada type of border is a very popularly used border type in the Madhubani painting tradition. Singada is water chestnut that is abundantly available in the pond and other water bodies of Bihar. It is one of the culturally significant foods of the region and is widely eaten with different styles of preparations.
It is also sometimes known as the samosa (a deep fried Indian fritter) border, owing to its triangular shape, which is also similar to the shape of samosas.
Other borders
Lord Shiva’s Divine Family: Madhubani painting by Priti Karn
Borders are subjective to each Madhubani painting. Some paintings are made using simple geometric shapes such as squares, or mandalas associated with the Tantric style. While the others are made using the symbols of prosperity, fertility and love, such as the peacocks, parrots and lotuses. Another common faunal border relates to fish in both, symbolic and literal depiction. Borders are also made of symbols considered auspicious in Hinduism, such as Shankh or conch shell.
Please note: These are some of the motifs depicted in Madhubani paintings. However, there are a lot of other motifs which are an inherent part of the paintings. This list will be updated as we research more such motifs. This list also does not include the various narratives, such as stories from Hinduism as it is a different topic.
- Jha, Anshu. 2024. “Madhubani Painting: A Cultural Treasure of Bihar.” Times of India Blog. Times of India. April 6, 2024. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/mithila-note/madhubani-painting-a-cultural-treasure-of-bihar/.
- “Madhubani Painting - History, Features, Themes, Making, and More!” n.d. Testbook. https://testbook.com/ias-preparation/madhubani-painting.
- Mandal, Anima. 2022. “Development of Motifs from Madhubani Painting – a Study in Bihar.” Indian Research Journal of Extension Education 22 (5): 237–46. https://doi.org/10.54986/irjee/2022/dec_spl/237-246.
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