Patna: A week-long workshop showcasing the vibrant tradition of Mithila folk art began on April 27 at the Mithila Lalit Museum in Madhubani, with artists from across Bihar gathering to revive and promote the rich cultural heritage of the region.
The workshop, organised by the Mithila Lalit Museum under the Department of Art, Culture and Youth, Directorate of Museums, was inaugurated by the state’s Art, Culture and Youth Minister, Motilal Prasad, who lit the ceremonial lamp. Speaking at the event, Prasad praised the richness of Mithila’s artistic legacy, highlighting the global recognition of Madhubani painting for its vivid colours and intricate forms.
Director of Museums, Rachna Patil, addressed the participating artists, emphasising that Mithila art is not only a cultural treasure but also a tool for economic empowerment, particularly for women artisans. She underlined the role of art in providing sustainable livelihoods.
The workshop will run until May 3, during which time artists will create paintings and artefacts to be exhibited in the museum galleries for public viewing.
Additional Director of Bihar Museum and programme coordinator, Ashok Kumar Sinha, introduced the participating artists, detailing their achievements and contributions to the art form. Assistant Curator Dr Shankar Suman welcomed the guests and delivered the vote of thanks.
Among the distinguished participants were Padma Shri awardees Dulari Devi, Shanti Devi and Shivan Paswan, alongside several national and state award-winning artists, including Vibha Das, Lalita Devi, Hema Devi, Sunil Kumar, Manoj Mallick, Subhadra Devi, Sanju Devi, Dhirendra Kumar, Sudhira Devi, Ram Gopal Pandit, and Jagdish Pandit.
Also in attendance were officials from Patna, Nawada, Samastipur, Supaul, Banka, Sheikhpura and Bettiah, including regional art and culture officers, along with senior museum staff such as Dr Vinay Kumar and Nitish Kumar.
