Welcome to the World of Exotic Indian Paintings

Folk Art Paintings

Folk art is motivated by utilitarian and ritualistic features and sometimes by individual creative and recreational impulses. Mainly dominated and shaped by the religious motif, the relation between this art and religion is a universal feature.

The central inspiration of Mithila paintings. revolves around popular religious themes.

This painting illustrates a theme from the Bhagvad Purana. Krishna is shown subduing and dancing on the hoods of the Sheshanaga, the

serpent in the Yamuna river. He has an ornate halo around his head and holds his flute in one hand and the tail of the serpent in the other. 'Matsyakanyas,' emerging from the mouth of the fishes, stand facing Krishna with folded hands. They all wear a snake hood tiara. Full bloomed lotus flowers float in the waters. The figures are related to each other by color and linear rhythms and this unifying element makes this painting lively instead of frail and feeble. Few colors are used here but whatever color it is, it has always the same tone and all the colors have vivid brilliance. The special charm of this painting lies in the total absence of self-consciousness and in the simplicity of its vision.

The rural art of Madhubani is unique for here coalesce a comprehension and knowledge of Sanskrit learning and culture, iconography, ritual and magic and the distortion and vitality inherent in the rural perception of the visual arts.