Mithila painting — known to the world as Madhubani — began on the mud walls and courtyards of the region’s homes, painted by women for weddings, festivals and worship. Discovered beyond Mithila after the 1934 earthquake and carried onto paper during the droughts of the 1960s, it earned a GI tag in 2007. These are its principal styles.
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Traditionally Brahmin womenBharni
The "filling" style of Madhubani — bold outlines flooded with vivid natural colour.
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Traditionally Kayastha womenKatchni
The fine line-work style — delicate cross-hatching in one or two colours.
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Dalit (Dusadh) communitiesGodna
A tattoo-inspired style of repeating motifs, born among Mithila's Dalit communities.
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All communities (wedding rite)Kohbar
The painting of the wedding chamber — lotus, bamboo and fish woven into a prayer for union and fertility.
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Traditionally Brahmin practitionersTantrik
The esoteric Madhubani style of mandalas, yantras and the cosmic diagram.
- Dalit / Harijan communities
Geru
The earth-toned people's style, washed on cow-dung paper in bold lines.
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Women of MithilaSikki Grass Craft
Golden marsh-grass coiled by Mithila's women into baskets, boxes, toys and ritual ware.
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Women of Mithila & MuzaffarpurSujani Embroidery
Story-telling quilts stitched from old cloth — a women's textile art of Mithila and beyond.
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Tailors and women of MithilaKhatwa Appliqué
Cut-and-stitch cloth art — bold figures and borders appliquéd onto canopies, tents and hangings.
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Artisans of MadhubaniMithila Masks
Painted papier-mâché and clay masks that bring gods and folk-heroes to life in ritual and theatre.