Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Fine Arts

Chapter

The Living Art Traditions of India

Question:

Which goddess is commonly portrayed in the eastern part of the house in the Madhubani paintings?

Options:

Saraswati

Parvati

Lakshmi

Kali

Correct Answer:

Kali

Explanation:

Answer: Kali
The eastern part of the house, which is the dwelling place of Kuladevi, usually, Kali, is painted.

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.