Madhubani Art Lab
Folk Painting of Bright Natural Colors!
Art Form
Ancient Mithila Folk Painting
Traditional Canvas
Mud walls of rural houses
Styles Used
Kachni (hatching) & Bharni (filling)
Pigment Source
Flowers, Turmeric, Leaves & Indigo
Watch and Learn! 📺
Madhubani Painting (also called Mithila Art) is one of the oldest and most celebrated folk art forms in the world, originating in north Bihar's Mithilanchal region. Traditionally painted by women on freshly plastered mud walls and floors of huts, it depicts nature, mythology, and social events. It is characterized by double-line borders filled with geometric patterns, large expressive eyes, and absolutely no empty spaces! The two main styles are 'Kachni' (using fine parallel hatching lines) and 'Bharni' (filling areas with bold colors). Colors are made entirely from nature: yellow from turmeric, blue from indigo, black from soot, and saffron from palash flowers.
Listen to Audio Guide 🎧
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Test Your Knowledge! 🎯
What are the two primary visual styles used in Madhubani painting?
How are the colors for traditional Madhubani art prepared?
Which unique feature is common to all traditional Mithila paintings?
Look at the elegant Madhubani Peacock inside the artistic frame in your book! Complete the borders using fine parallel lines for the 'Kachni' side, and color the body using solid bright colors for the 'Bharni' side. Do not leave any blank spaces!
Check your workbook for details.