Madhubani Paintings (Bihar)

Paintings from Madhubani district, Bihar

	Artist unknown Madhubani, Bihar Ganesh and Consort 2000s water-based paint on paper 22" x 15" The elephant-headed Ganesh, god of auspicious beginnings; and his consort.

	Artist unknown Madhubani, Bihar Rama Releases Ahalya from the Curse 2000s. water-based paint on paper 15" x 22" The epic Ramayana tells the story how, long ago, the sage Gautama discovered the adultery of the god Indra with his wife Ahalya. Depending on the version of the epic, Gautama then cursed Indra to be covered by a thousand wombs and his wife to be turned into stone until that day when she should receive the grace of Lord Rama. Ages later, Rama passed by and touched the stone Ahalya, thereby releasing her from the curse. The painting shows Ahalya, released from the pile of stones, doing obeisance to Rama, behind whom is his brother Lakshmana. Behind Lakshmana is the brothers' guru Vishvamitra.

	Artist unknown Madhubani, Bihar Kohbar (Wedding Painting) 2000s. water-based paint on paper 15" x 22" Kohbar paintings celebrate weddings and are painted on the walls of the room where the bride and groom spend the first few days and nights of their marriage. This kohbar painting on paper includes some typical elements from the traditional wall paintings: a stylized bamboo tree (with a face) inside a circle of lotuses; portraits of the bride and groom; smile-faced images of the sun and moon; and parrots, turtle, and fish, all of which suggest fertility.

	Artist unknown Madhubani, Bihar The Ferryman Takes Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana across the River 2000s water-based paint on paper 15" x 22" In this story from the epic Ramayana, a ferryman takes the hero-god Rama, his wife Sita, and his brother Lakshmana across the Sarayu River on their way to the Panchavati (five trees), their place of exile in the forest.

	Artist unknown Madhubani, Bihar Radha and Krishna 2000s water-based paint on paper 22" x 7.5" Book Ten of the Srimad Bhagavata Purana, a medieval mythological and devotional text, tells the story of the youth of Krishna in the village of Vrindavan. The flute-playing Krishna stole the hearts of the cowherd girls of Vrindavan. Later poets identified his most beloved sweetheart as Radha.

	Artist unknown Madhubani, Bihar Village figures 2000s water-based paint on paper 22" x 7.5"

	Artist unknown Madhubani, Bihar Krishna and Radha 1990s. water-based paint on paper 15" x 11" Book Ten of the Srimad Bhagavata Purana, a medieval mythological and devotional text, tells the story of the youth of Krishna in the village of Vrindavan. The flute-playing Krishna stole the hearts of the cowherd girls of Vrindavan. Later poets identified his most beloved sweetheart as Radha.