Ten Great Wisdom Goddesses (Dasa Mahavidyas)

Madhubani or Mithila paintings emerged thousands of years ago to mark the marriage of Sita and Rama, under the order of King Janak. Traditionally, they were painted on walls and floors of huts but now they are painted on cloth, canvas and art papers. Focussing on the religious, social and natural aspects of life, this art used natural pigments like turmeric for yellow ochre, palash flower for orange etc. In this painting; encompassing varied religious traditions of yogini worship, Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Vajrayana Buddhism, the ten Mahavidyas are depicted. The figures of ten Hindu tantrik goddesses can be seen such as Kali, Taara, Chinnamasta, Tripura Sundari, Bhuvaneshwari, Bhairavi, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi and Kamalatmika. The painting showcases the use of warm toned colours like yellow, red and orange as the base and the subjects and bold, definite black lines are used to outline each and every figure which defines the painting itself. Big and small deities are painted showcasing their distinct "mudras" and posture. A distinctive "yantra"(sacred diagram) is present beneath every goddess to symbolise their receptacles or sacred dwelling that hold their divine being. Going beyond the "kulin art" tag of this art form, this art is relevant even today as it has become inclusive in nature, and is drawn in wide range by amateurs as well as experienced artists using modern materials in canvases. The "bharni"(filled) style of this artwork aids in the creation of complex geometrical patterns which also act as therapeutic activity for the painter.