Brushing up a legacy

SURAT: There could have been no better beginning to spring. The Spicfest, which started on Basant Panchmi, is a celebration of art, dance and music lined up for the town's culture-loving clan.
Organised by Spic Macay, the festival began with a workshop held by India's leading Madhubani artist, Shanti Devi. Originally from Mithila in Bihar, this internationally known artist is sharing her skills with students of art as well as enthusiastic Surtis at the Veer Narmad South Gujarat University's (VNSGU) fine arts department.
"Everything is about nature in this form of painting. This includes the theme, the materials and the colours used," explains the stalwart of this 600-year-old art. She has brought along handmade paper for the enthusiasts. "The theme revolves around birds, animals, water bodies and nature and is intermingled with mythology. All the colours are completely natural and eco-friendly. The paper is handmade, treated with buffalo dung and natural glue to resemble the shades of our village walls."
The ink used to outline the motifs is made by burning wicks in earthen lamps, while the colours are obtained from mixing mustard seeds and sindoor for red, parijat flower stems for orange, leaves for green and flowers for blue and other colours."
While beginners use gel pens and commercially-available colours with brushes, Shanti Devi learnt to fill in colours in the sketches with cotton swabs stuck to broom sticks from her grandmother, "I am still deft with just that or nibbed pens. I am not comfortable with the brush, although I allow my students to use it."
Madhubani paintings are now being adapted on clothing, furnishings, accessories and calendars. Shanti Devi is in the process of preparing a unique book, 'Katha', which will feature her paintings on mythological tales with text to match.
"We are excited to have an artist of her calibre for this unique workshop," says Rajarshi Smart of VNSGU's fine art faculty. "This hands-on experience is truly a treat for every art lover.