Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Fine Arts

Chapter

The Living Art Traditions of India

Question:

Observe the image and answer the question:

Who creates this image?

Options:

Women only

Girls only

Head of the house

Pujari only

Correct Answer:

Women only

Explanation:

The correct answer is option 1-Women only

Among the most known contemporary painterly art forms is Mithila art that derives its name from Mithila, the ancient Videha and birthplace of Sita. Also called Madhubani painting after the nearest district capital, it is a widely recognised folk art tradition. It is presumed that for centuries, women living in this region have painted figures and designs on the walls of their mud houses for ceremonial occasions, particularly, weddings. People of this area see the origin of this art form at the time of Princess Sita getting married to Lord Rama.

Madhubani paintings, characterised by bright colours, are largely painted in three areas of the house — central or outer courtyards, eastern part of the house, which is the dwelling place of Kuladevi, usually, Kali, and a room in the southern part of the house, which houses the most significant images. Various armed gods and animals or images of women at work like carrying waterpots or winnowing grain, etc., are vividly portrayed in the outer central courtyard. The inner verandah, where the family shrine — devasthana or gosain ghar is located, griha devatas and kula devatas are painted. In the recent past, many paintings are done on fabric, paper, pots, etc., for commercial purposes. The most extraordinary and colourful painting, however, is done in the part of the house known as the kohbar ghar or inner room, where magnificent representations of kohbar, a lotus with a stalk in full bloom having metaphoric and tantric connotation along with images of gods and goddesses are painted on freshly plastered walls of the room.