With a rich history that seeps deep into the cultural ethos of Bihar and Nepal, Madhubani painting stands as one of India’s oldest and most renowned art forms. Also known as Mithila or Madhubani art, this style recently found a new canvas, with Bihar Sampark Kranti Express being adorned with its vibrant patterns and geometrical designs. Meanwhile, at the other end of the globe in the North Pacific Ocean, an environmental calamity unfolds with the Great Pacific Garbage Patch – an overwhelming collection of marine debris posing a grave threat to marine and human life.
Madhubani Art: An Ode to Tradition
The colours of Madhubani are a testament to nature’s bounty, painstakingly extracted from plants and other organic sources. The black hue is crafted from a mix of soot and cow dung, while indigo imparts a brilliant blue, rice powder offers white, and the flowers of palasha trees lend a vibrant orange. These colours, often dark and bright, are applied flat with no shading or empty spaces. Their application requires neither modern brushes nor sophisticated tools; rudimentary aids like twigs, matchsticks, and fingers suffice.
Inspirations and Themes of Madhubani
A glimpse at Madhubani painting reveals a universe deeply intertwined with India’s religious and cultural narratives. Stories from the epic Ramayana, depictions of Hindu deities like Krishna, Rama, Lakshmi, Shiva, Durga, and Saraswati, social scenes, marital ceremonies, and court proceedings have found eternal immortality on these canvases. Notably, heavenly bodies like the sun and the moon frequently take centre stage in these artworks.
The Shift in Artistry
Traditionally, women of the region shouldered the responsibility of creating these masterpieces. However, the escalating demand has seen men joining the craft, preserving the heritage. Renowned artists like Karpuri Devi, Mahalaxmi, and Dulari have left indelible marks in this art form’s legacy.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch: A Cry for Help
The Pacific Trash Vortex, more infamously known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), stretches from the West Coast of North America to Japan. This environmental disaster comprises marine debris, primarily litter dumped into oceans, seas, and other expansive water bodies.
The Perils of Microplastics
The GPGP is predominantly constituted by microplastics – minuscule particles of non-biodegradable plastic. These particles are considered a significant risk factor for both marine life, who often mistake them for food, and humans, whose consumption of sea food brings these harmful plastics into their system. The insistent growth of the GPGP rings alarm bells for the ecosystem, calling for urgent remedial measures to prevent further degradation of marine life.
