GreenNeev Environmental Foundation

Madhubani Painting, also known as Mithila Painting, is a traditional art form that originated in the Madhubani district of Bihar. Practiced mainly by women across various parts of the state, it gradually earned recognition in contemporary art. Once limited to bhitti chitra (wall paintings), it has now expanded onto cloth, canvas, paper, wood, sarees, and numerous other mediums.

The colors used in Madhubani painting are traditionally derived from nature. Women collect leaves, flowers, fruits, and barks from courtyards and fields to prepare pigments. Leaves of tilkor (Coccinea grandis), neem (Azadirachta indica), bel (Aegle marmelos), and banana (Musa × paradisiaca) yield varied greens. Bougainvillea blossoms provide delicate pinks, while petals of the palash tree (Butea monosperma) are boiled into a bright orange. Turmeric brings golden yellow, and the deep blues emerge from indigo leaves (Indigofera tinctoria) and fruits of sikkat (Phyllanthus reticulatus). Bark of khair (Acacia catechu) gives earthy browns, while rice grains, pounded into a paste, create white outlines. To enhance durability, these pigments are mixed with natural binders such as tree gum or goat’s milk and stored in earthen pots. When applied, every stroke becomes a conversation with the earth—where leaves, flowers, and rice grains breathe life into the painting.

Plants in Madhubani painting go beyond ornamentation; they embody symbols of life, divinity, and continuity. The lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) represents purity and creation, while the pipal (Ficus religiosa) stands as a sacred bridge between heaven and earth. Bamboo groves denote fertility and resilience; tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) signifies healing and devotion; the kadamb (Neolamarckia cadamba) evokes love, romance, and joy. Floral borders and winding creepers frame abundance and continuity. Each botanical motif carries layered meaning, transforming the artwork into a living garden where nature and culture thrive together

Madhubani painting not only preserves tradition but also fosters ecological awareness. By celebrating sacred trees such as pipal, banyan, kadamb, bamboo, and tulsi, along with flowers like lotus and marigold, the art reinforces their cultural and ecological value. Communities are thus reminded to protect and nurture these species. The reliance on natural dyes further strengthens bonds with the environment, promoting sustainable harvesting practices and transmitting traditional ecological knowledge to younger generations. In this way, Madhubani painting emerges as a cultural bridge for plant conservation—safeguarding biodiversity through art, memory, and everyday practice.

Information compiled by:  Dr. Suchandra Dutta from various sources and through interviews with Madhubani artists Shri Krishna Kumar Jha and Smt. Divyani Jha, Madhubani, Bihar. :        : greenneev.mumbai@gmail.com