An art reborn, Thanks to a Japanese Seed
A Tikuli Art Painting (Image credit-Arts of India)
India’s indigenous art forms provide more than simply glimpses into the country’s rich culture and history. Often, they provide vital sources of income and empowerment for their craftspeople. Tikuli art is one such art form from Bihar that empowers the state’s female artisans. Tikuli art is a traditional style of Indian workmanship distinguished by its complex, hand-painted motifs on glass and metal. Tikuli art, which originated in the city of Patna in Bihar, is distinguished by its brilliant colors, complex patterns, and use of reflective surfaces to enhance the artwork’s visual appeal. Tikuli art is appreciated not only for its beauty, but also for its cultural significance and the expertise involved in its creation.
Origin and historical background:
Tikuli art originated in Patna and has a centuries-long history. It developed from traditional Indian glass painting techniques, which was later influenced by Mughal and Persian art forms. The skill rose to prominence during the Mughal Empire, with Patna craftsmen developing a distinct style that blended traditional patterns with modern techniques. With thriving sales, the Tikuli art form enticed traders from all across the country to rush to Patna to purchase Tikuli art in bulk. Tikuli art eventually became a well-known craft, with artists handing down their talents through generations.
Tikuli art suffered greatly after the Mughal Empire disintegrated and the British Raj arrived. The British introduced industrialization, and indigenous commodities were eventually supplanted by low-cost machine-made goods. As a result, demand for original Tikuli art made with gold foil began to decline, leaving hundreds of Tikuli artists unemployed and Tikuli art lost in the confusion.
Revival and Flourishment:
Upendra Maharathi (Image Credit- Upendra Maharathi Shilp Anusandhan Sansthan)
The art form saw a resurgence in the 20th century as efforts to preserve and promote traditional crafts gained momentum, leading to increased recognition and appreciation both in India and abroad. The revival of this art form can solely be attributed to two artists. In 1954, Chitracharya Padmashree Upendra Maharathi single-handedly took on the initiative of reviving this dying art form. He got the idea of portraying Tikuli art on glazed hardboards during his stay in Japan, where artists were commercially selling traditional motifs on colorful hardboards.
Aside from Maharathi, another artist, Shree Ashok Kumar Biswas, elevated Tikuli art to a new level. He and his wife, Shibani Biswas, revitalized the art and turned it into a source of income for many. Tikuli art presently provides an economic benefit to over hundreds of women in Bihar. The Biswases’ heroic efforts, as well as the workmanship of these women, have received national and worldwide recognition.
Characteristics:
A Tikuli Painting Showing Farmers by Ashok Kumar (Image Credit- Me Meraki)
The term ‘Tikuli’ refers to the local phrase for ‘bindi’, which is a bright, colorful dot worn by ladies between their brows. Tikuli art’s painting style is distinguished by the use of dots or Tikulis, rigorous attention to detail, and brilliant, contrasting colors. Traditional Tikuli paintings have complicated patterns and designs, which are frequently framed with elaborate borders.
The use of reflective surfaces, particularly glass and metal, gives the artwork depth and brilliance, amplifying its visual impact. Layering colors and utilizing thin brushes to generate delicate, precise lines are common techniques in this style. Contemporary Tikuli art may use new materials and techniques while retaining the essence of the traditional craft.
Process and Tools:
The Process of Tikuli Art Making on Transparent Glass Surface (Image Credit-Mukesh Kumar, Upendra Maharathi Shilp Anusandhan Sansthan )
Making Tikuli art is a delicate and laborious procedure. Initially, the Tikulis were created from sheets of molten glass. Muslim craftspeople cut the glass sheet into round pieces of various sizes before handing it up to Hindu painters, who covered the Tikulis with gold foil. The women then took over, tracing patterns on the Tikulis using sharp bamboo tools and filling them with natural colours. The Tikuli was finished with a layer of gond (glue) before it was fit for use. However, the rising cost of raw materials and gold contributed to the decline of handcrafted Tikuli.
The Process of Making Tikuli Art on Hard Board (Image Credit- Mukesh Kumar, Upendra Maharathi Shilp Anusandhan Sansthan )
The solution was seen in replacing the expensive raw material with something readily available. The idea was to replace the glass surface with wooden boards, and enamel paint worked just as well as gold foil did. Artists cut the hardboard into a variety of shapes, including round, rectangular, triangular, and square. They next add 4-5 coats of enamel to the cut wooden item. After each application, they sandpaper the wood to give it a polished finish. After applying the final coat of enamel, the artists paint the design. It is sometimes decorated with gold foil and gemstones. Because of the use of enamel paints, this art requires dry air at room temperature and is best done in the spring and summer. To create the thin brushes, the painters use squirrel or sable hair.
Religious and ceremonial Motifs:
A Religious Tikuli Art showing figure of Lord Ganesha (Image Credit- Upendra Maharathi Shilp Anusandhan Sansthan)
A marriage seen depicted in Tikuli Art (Image Credit- Arts of India)
Tikuli art is more popular as an export than as an item of cultural significance. The items are intended to reflect and highlight India’s rich cultural and spiritual legacy to the rest of the world. Tikuli art includes scenes from Indian mythology, such as portraits of gods and goddesses, as well as events from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, among other themes. Some ceremonial themes include depictions of Bihar’s festivals and wedding scenes. Some Tikuli Art paintings use images from popular folklore.
Floral and Geometric motifs:
A peacock motif in Tikuli Art with borders (Image Credit- Arts of India)
Nature-inspired motifs abound, including peacocks, birds, lotus, animals, floral vines, and landscapes, as well as geometric patterns. The artwork frequently includes symbolic motifs that express concepts of harmony, spirituality, and beauty. Because the bindi art depictions depict the daily life of Bihar inhabitants or villages, the motifs reflect the state’s cultural richness and legacy. Every Tikuli painting has one thing in common: they all convey a different narrative.
Influence and Integration of Madhubani Art:
The Mithila painting has clearly influenced Tikuli art. As a result, many people believe that both art styles are the same. However, the primary distinction is that Mithila painting is done on paper and fabric, whereas Tikuli art is done on hardboard or MDF board. In recent years, Tikuli art has been combined with Madhubani painting to create colorful wall paintings, coasters, table mats, trays, and more. This has broadened the scope of this art and expanded the artists’ creative possibilities.
Recognition and Government Patronage:
Tikuli Art received widespread attention when, during the 1982 Asian Games, then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi handpicked products created using Tikuli art as official gifts for participating athletes. Until 1984, the government purchased artwork directly from artists and paid them for their efforts. But not anymore; the government now organizes events such as the Gandhi Shilp Bazar and other national art fairs across the country, allowing artists to sell their work directly to buyers. In 2017, the Bihar government and the Ministry of Textiles implemented an Integrated Development and Promotion of Handicrafts policy. It encourages Tikuli art among emerging artists by providing them with the appropriate training.
Ashok Kumar Biswas, a Reknowned Tikuli Artist (Image Credit- Amar Ujala)
Ashok Kumar Biswas, a well-known Tikuli performer, was chosen to participate in the Bihar Diwas celebrations held in Delhi and Jaipur in 2012. He also had the opportunity to explain the subtle art of Tikuli to visitors to the International Fair held in Seoul, bringing the art to a global stage. The artist has received recognition for his work from both the Bihar and central governments, and he was most recently granted the Guru Shishya Parampara Award for Tikuli Painting (Bihar) by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India in February 2022.
Current:
Today, efforts to promote Tikuli art through exhibitions, seminars, and fair trade initiatives seek to preserve the skill and assure its continued relevance in contemporary art and design. The hubs for buying and selling Tikuli art include Patna, Varanasi, and Kolkata. Aside from its renown as a traditional art form, Tikuli has recently become an important aspect of interior design.
