Patna: Mithila painting will bring the story of Ram and Janaki to Ayodhya, with artworks by eight students from the Mithila Painting Institute in Saurath, Madhubani, selected for a national exhibition on the Ramayana.
The exhibition, ‘Ram and Ramayana: From the Homeland to Foreign Lands’, is scheduled for October 12. A collaborative artwork based on the Ramcharitmanas, created by nine students from the institute, will also be displayed.
Eight Artworks Selected
According to the Department of Art and Culture, 15 artworks have been selected for the national-level exhibition. Eight of these are by students of the Mithila Painting Institute.
The remaining seven works have been created by students from colleges and universities in other parts of the country.
Artists From Bihar To Showcase Their Work
The selected artists from the institute are Nisha Chaurasia, Durgesh Kumar Mandal, Shubham Priya, Riya Kumari, Chanda Kumari, Muskan Kumari, Purnima and Pintu Kumar.
Their works will depict different aspects of the Ramayana through the traditional visual language of Mithila painting.
Ramcharitmanas Artwork Also Included
Alongside the individual paintings, a collaborative artwork based on the Ramcharitmanas will feature in the exhibition. The work has been jointly created by nine students of the institute.
The exhibition seeks to present different traditions and interpretations of the Ramayana to audiences in India and abroad.
Cultural Link Between Mithila And Ram-Janaki Tradition
Ram and Janaki have a longstanding place in the cultural traditions associated with Mithila. The participation of young Mithila artists in an exhibition centred on the Ramayana brings this cultural connection into focus through traditional art.
For the students, the exhibition also provides an opportunity to present their work on a national platform while continuing a longstanding folk-art tradition.
Minister Congratulates Artists
Dr Pramod Kumar, Bihar’s Minister of Art, Culture and Youth Affairs, congratulated the Mithila Painting Institute and the selected artists.
The minister said the selection reflected the contribution of Bihar’s traditional art to the national cultural landscape. He also said the government was supporting artists and students to provide greater platforms for the state’s art and cultural traditions.
The October 12 exhibition in Ayodhya will bring the selected Mithila paintings before a wider audience through the theme of Ram and the Ramayana.
