Pushpa-dulari Devi scattered in Madhubani

- Distance - Raksha Shukla

Where and when did it get out of hand?

Why today from yesterday?

The question is big, not a sign,

From which history?

I have a serious illness,

Where do feathers come from every day?

A bird burns in front of the eye,

From the ashes of a bird!

- Kishore Jikadra

Mithila painting is a genre of Indian painting. This folk art of Mithila is also called Madhub's painting. Which is prevalent in Bihar, Darbhanga, Madhubani and Nepal areas of India. It depicts the Mithilanchal culture and art. This painting is drawn with various devices. These include terva, thin tree branches, brushes, pen stitches, matches, natural dyes and certain types of dye. Women used to draw pictures of Madhub on the inside walls of the house as a sign of good fortune on the occasions of domestic anuos after about the fourteenth century. At first, traditional paintings such as gods and goddesses and symbolic symbols, village life, ritualistic autobiographical paintings were at the center. After the year 2000, local, national and international events began to take place in it. It now covers many topics such as floods, terrorism, global warming and feminist issues such as patriarchy, dowry, burning of women, female feticide, etc.

Originally this art was found in mud (dung + clay) smeared huts. But gradually it has come down to modern form on clothes, walls, canvas and paper and a lot of beautiful work is being done in it. Later this home painting was also adopted by men. Not long ago, to enhance Madhubani and Mithila paintings internationally, her artists decorated the walls of Madhubani railway station with 10,000 square feet of stunning paintings of Madhubani art. This initiative was done free of cost i.e. the artists have done this as a labor. It is very popular among tourists and foreigners. Which is a matter of pride for this art.

On the eve of the Republic Day of 2021, the famous artist of Mithila Painting, Dulari Devi, filled her eyes with new colors of wonder, happiness, gratitude and contentment. That evening, Dulari Devi, who made Madhub's painting internationally famous, was honored with the Padma Shri award from the Government of India. Earlier, two Madhub artists from Ranti village, Mahasundari Devi and Godavari Dutta, have also received Padma Shri. Dulari is the third woman to receive the Padma Shri. Although Dulari has not taken formal education, he can write his signature and village name with some difficulty. His art skills are discussed in many popular newspapers and magazines in the art world. His fans include the names of many big names like Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. However, Dulari Devi has come a long way in reaching the national award.

Dulari Devi from Bihar was born into a very poor family. This famous artist of Mithila Painting, 3 year old Dulari Devi's childhood went through a lot of trouble and struggle. The tiny innocent footsteps were nowhere to be seen on the sands of time. He also got married at the young age of 18. After the accidental death of their six-month-old daughter, they lived with their father-in-law for three years. Then Dulari Devi came to the pier and stayed. She became a maid in the house of Madhusudari artist Mahasundari, famous for her livelihood, and started working as a garbage collector. This work changed his life. Dulari was very interested in drawing but did not have enough money to buy paint, cloth or paper. However, inspired by Mahasundari, in her spare time, Dulari made it look like a brush from the branches of a tree, smeared it with clay in the courtyard of the house, painted it with a stick and began to give a new shape to her imagination. His mother was annoyed that 'drawing lines on the ground at home brings poverty'. But Dulari was thus unknowingly filling the lives of family members with the colors of future happiness. Mahasundari Devi introduced Dulari to another great Madhub artist Karpuri Devi. Karpuri Devi and Mahasundari Devi used to hand over small and big works to Dulari while painting and also paid her compensation. He told Dulari that every man should draw pictures like this. But one should not imitate.

Mahasundari Devi took keen interest in Dulari's artistic taste. A few years later, when the government offered a short course in painting, he even helped Dulari join. Along with Karpuridevi, Dulari made a name for herself in the field of Mithila painting. Dulari says, "It was at Mahasundari's house that I met the great artist of Mithila painting, Karpuri Devi, who later became my guru and mother." If Dulari, who was struggling with the situation in difficult days, got the support of Karpuri Devi, then the leaf of misfortune was removed from her fortune. The broom in hand was replaced by a painting brush. Karpuri Devi taught Dulari the art of kakko. Dulari's art quickly flourished after meeting a guru like Karpoori. After that Dulari Devi never looked back.

Renowned painter Gauri Mishra set up an organization in 19 to teach women Mithila painting and promote their work. Then Karpuri Devi wrote Dulari's name there. "I was given a shiny cloth and asked to paint on it," says Dulari. The clothes were so shiny that I got upset and refused to paint. ' When he returned four days later, he was given a cotton cloth. They liked Dulari's picture on it. He was then given a sari. On which Dulari painted for two months. Thus Dulari specialized in Mithila art. Initially, his painting was sold for Rs. When Karpuri Devi was going abroad, Dulari had Madhub's pictures on paper

Taking along Everyone's Dulari would get Rs. If the picture is big, even 50 would be found. Dulari was associated with Gauri Mishra's organization for 15 years. Today he teaches painting to children at the Mithila Art Institute. As soon as he got Padma Shri, Dulari remembered Guru Karpuri who passed away two years ago. "I am very happy to receive the award," says Dulari. Sahu congratulates me on the phone. Even at home everyone is very happy. If there was a Karpuri Devi today, she would be happier than me who taught me the art of Madhub considering me a daughter '.

After Mithila, Dulari Devi gradually started going to painting camps in Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, Kerala, Chennai and Calcutta, adding new subjects and new techniques to her art. Dulari began to look at an object or event from a different perspective and began to enjoy painting it in colors. At many special places in Bihar, Dulari Devi has made beautiful Mithila paintings on the walls of temples. Being of backward caste he was initially not allowed to make paintings of God. This is because Mithilai pictures are often made up of intriguing tales or stories. But this rule gave a new direction to his art. He began to portray life and events around him. Which mixed a unique flavor in his paintings which was very different from the others. There are five distinct styles of Madhubani art. Bharani, Kachni, Tantric, Godna and Kohabra. Dulari Devi has mastered the 'Kachni' style of Mithila painting. Dulari Devi's enthusiasm has increased a lot after receiving the Pratiti Awards and honors. Seeing Dulari's struggle, it seems that the colors of her paintings are wet with her tears. "Continuous effort — not strength or intelligence — is the key to unlocking your potential," says Winston Chachal.

Dulari Devi has also received 13th Lalit Kala Akademi honors and Mithila Asmita honors. In 2016-17, he has also been honored with the government's Pratiti State Award. To date, Dulari Devi has created more than 15,000 Madhub paintings which she has exhibited in more than 30 exhibitions at home and abroad. Everywhere you look today, the tide of protectionist sentiment is flowing. Dulari earns 5 to 20 thousand per month due to his art. Dulari Devi's painting has also been selected for the cover of the base course syllabus prepared for IGNOU's Maithili language. Dulari's biographies and works of art have found a special place in many places, including Matan Lee Koz's French book 'Mithila' and Geeta Wolf's book 'Following My Paintbrush' or 'Satrangi'. During the inauguration of the Bihar Museum in Patna, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar extended a special invitation to Dulari Devi. Because there the painting made by Dulari Devi on Kamaleshwari Kamala river worship was mainly exhibited. Dulari Devi says that God gives each person a special quality. One needs to find and understand it for oneself. As a fruit of Mithila art, Dulari now has a pucca house. The second generation of this art is being prepared with his inspiration.

A beautiful initiative of Indian Railways to promote world famous Mithila painting is commendable. The boxes of 'Bihar Sampark Kranti' going to New Delhi from Darbhanga of Bihar are decorated with Mithila paintings. This is the first time this has happened. The initiative will promote Mithila painting and save the endangered art and give it international recognition. These boxes have been decorated by about 50 women in 30 days. This art will also be seen on other trains in the future.

Mithila painting is believed to have originated in the Ramayana period. At the time of Rama-Sita's marriage, King Janak ordered the people to decorate their courtyards and the walls of their houses with pictures which reflected the culture of Mithila. So that all the executioners coming from Ayodhya know the great culture. The paintings were made by several female artists. The women of Mithila still specialize in this art. Dulari Devi whose hand does not know how to write but has made history with the same hand by getting Padma Shri honor. The mantra of 'No pain, No gain' has to be digested by every man. He continued his art journey without giving up poverty or troubles.