Madhubani/Patna : Around 200 artists and students are working together at the Mithila Chitrkala Sansthan in Saurath to create a large Mithila painting depicting 51 episodes from the Ramayana. The organisers say the artwork could become the world’s longest Mithila painting, subject to measurement and verification.
The project, being undertaken under the direction of Madhubani District Magistrate Anand Sharma, began on August 10 and is scheduled to continue until August 15. The completed painting will be displayed at the Mithila Art Museum on August 15, when its length is expected to be measured as part of the proposed world-record certification process.
Ram and Sita’s Story in Mithila Art
The painting brings together episodes associated with Ram and Sita and presents them through the traditional Mithila painting style.
Chandrashekhar Prasad Singh, director of the Mithila Chitrkala Sansthan, said the artwork includes several episodes from the Ramayana, beginning with Ram’s childhood and extending to events such as the Dhanush Yajna, Sita-Ram Swayamvar and exile.
Other scenes include the Kevat episode, the conversation between Jamvant and Hanuman and the Lanka Dahan. The organisers said the aim is to connect the narrative with the visual traditions of Mithila painting.
Work Began on August 10
According to Singh, the painting is being created over six days, from August 10 to August 15.
Around 200 students and artists associated with the institute are participating in the project. Canvases, brushes and paints were specially procured from Indore for the artwork, according to the organisers.
The participating artists are working on different sections while following the traditional Mithila style. Instructors and senior artists are supervising the process as the individual sections are brought together into a single composition.
Padma Shri Awardees Among the Guides
Padma Shri awardees Baua Devi and Dulari Devi are among the experienced Mithila artists guiding the participants, according to the institute.
Shivam Paswan, Dr Rani Jha, Sanjay Jaiswal and Prateek Prabhakar are also involved in guiding the artists and coordinating the work.
The organisers said the involvement of experienced artists is intended to ensure that the large collaborative work retains the characteristics of traditional Mithila painting while depicting the Ramayana narrative.
World Record Assessment on August 15
The proposed world-record attempt will be assessed after the painting is completed.
Singh said officials from the World Record Union are scheduled to visit the institute on August 15. They are expected to measure the completed artwork and assess whether it meets the organisation’s prescribed criteria.
If the painting fulfils the required standards, it will be considered for world-record certification. Until the measurement and verification are completed, the claim that it is the world’s longest Mithila painting remains unconfirmed.
A Global Platform for Mithila Painting
The project is also intended to draw wider attention to Mithila’s traditional art form.
The organisers said bringing around 200 artists together to depict 51 Ramayana episodes on one canvas provides an opportunity to showcase the artistic traditions of the region to audiences beyond Bihar.
For the participating artists, the project combines a large-scale collaborative effort with a narrative closely associated with Mithila through Sita. The organisers hope the completed work will help present the region’s distinctive painting tradition on a wider platform.
The painting is scheduled to be exhibited at the Mithila Art Museum on August 15, followed by its proposed measurement by World Record Union officials.
