A Regional Art

Mithila is a geographical and cultural region that straddles parts of Northern India and Southern Nepal. For centuries, the people of the region (with a particular focus on Madhubani district) have practised a vibrant and fascinating style of painting and we are pleased to be introducing an exciting new range of Mithila products.

On our last buying trip to Nepal, we stumbled upon a little shop in Thamel, Kathmandu down a bumpy alleyway. The friendly owner showed us several beautiful paintings as well as a number of handpainted mirrors, buckets and boxes.

Intrigued by all the amazing colour, we asked if we could see where the painting is done. The following day we headed out to Madhyapur Thimi, a district on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Eventually, we found the tiny little workshop on a dusty street next door to a dry store shop and overlooking a river.

We were greeted outside by the shopkeeper and his wife who run the business together. Inside a group of five women were happily working away on all manner of amazingly colourful items.

From Mud Huts to Homewares

Traditionally, Mithila painting uses a wide range of tools and techniques including brushes, sticks, nib pens, matchsticks and fingers to get a distinctive look. The painting style was initially done on the freshly plastered walls and floors of mud huts but its use has now been transferred to paper, canvas and cardboard surfaces. We also checked to make sure that the paint is a lead-free non-toxic brand.

The artwork will often be inspired by various aspects of everyday life as well as by religious stories. Scenes will often incorporate elements of the natural world for example fish, suns, moons, trees, plants, and various animals. When people are depicted they are shown in a distinctive side-on perspective and pieces will rarely have any blank spaces, instead of filling every part with patterns and colour.

The skills for Mithila painting are usually passed on from generation to generation, mainly by women. The owners of this workshop have been helping to keep the art form alive whilst providing valuable employment by training new workers in the style.