Promoting heritage through art: An exhibition of Mithila-Madhubani paintings
Explore the country’s rich tribal and traditional art through an exhibition in the Capital. With over 50 Mithila-Madhubani paintings, the artists depict a variety of themes, such as folklore, mythology and anecdotes on life.
Going beyond mainstream art, an exhibition in the national capital displays the indigenous artworks of 14 Mithila-Madhubani artists. Titled, Satrangi: An Exhibition of Mithila-Madhubani Art, it brings out India’s heritage and culture. On display are works by artists such as Santosh Das, Mahalaxmi and Shantanu Das. With over 50 paintings, the themes depict folklore, mythology and anecdotes on life.
Read: Why is folk art not treated on a par with contemporary art?
Anubhav Nath, director of Ojas Art Gallery, says, “The idea behind this series is to promote tribal and traditional art. This is our second edition, and every year, we have a different genre.” He believes that Indian art is so diverse and different, that it is unfair to club it under one genre. “Each genre of art needs its own breathing space, status and recognition. We needed a medium to represent specific genres. Hence, this exhibition,” he says.
Santosh Das, who will be showcasing paintings from his Krishna and Buddha series, says, “This art is highly decorative and you can play around with various patterns. Artists should not shy away from experimenting with new subjects as it opens new dimensions for art.”
Read: Artists at work: Ganesha idols in the making at workshops
Finding and bringing together such art in a gallery setup is very encouraging to the artists. “Most of these artists have had zero exposure. They are content with what they are doing, without worrying about getting a channel to showcase their work. In a way, it was a challenge to put everything together, logistically,” adds Nath.
Catch It Live
What: Satrangi: An Exhibition of Mithila- Madhubani Art
Where: Ojas Art, 1 AQ, Qutab Minar Roundabout, Mehrauli
On till: September 8
Timing: 11am to 7pm
Nearest Metro Station: Qutub Minar on Yellow Line