Maithili Painting Style

Maithil Paintings are paintings done on walls by the people of Mithila (Bihar). For the Maithils, paintings were so natural and simple as sweeping the courtyard or fetching water. They performed the paintings with ease when ceremonies were performed. But later these paintings were done on floors, paper fans, earthen pots, dishes and elephants during marriage ceremonies.

The Maithili painting was renowned in the region of Mithila, which was a region inBihar. Painting was an integral part of the people of Maithili. The castes who performed the paintings were Maithil Brahmins and Maithil Kayasths. Among the Brahmins and Kayasths, the women did the paintings.

The walls were decorated for main purposes as: 

•  The sacred thread ceremony (when a boy became an adult member of his caste)

•  The dedication or renovation of the family shrine (the gosain ghar)

•  Festivals such as Chhath, Chauth Chand, and the Devathan Ekadasi

•  The `first` marriage when the bride and bridegroom were formally linked.

•  The `second` marriage when they entered their actual married state.

During the first three occasions, the corridors were decorated with paintings of gods and goddesses. For the two wedding ceremonies at the bride`s house, mural paintings were done in the marriage chamber.