Madhubani and Gond Artists Call on the President of India

Celebrating the Keepers of Our Heritage: Madhubani and Gond Artists Call on the President of India

On May 26, 2025, a deeply meaningful moment unfolded at Rashtrapati Bhavan, as a group of exceptional folk and tribal artists were honoured as part of the ongoing Artists in Residence Programme - Kala Utsav. These artists, practitioners of Madhubani art from Bihar and Gond art from Madhya Pradesh, were invited to stay at Rashtrapati Bhavan from May 20 to 27, 2025, a recognition of their commitment to preserving some of India's most treasured traditional art forms.

This initiative, organized by the Government of India, not only gave these artists the honour of staying at one of the most iconic residences in the country but also offered a national platform to showcase their lifelong dedication to indigenous art.

As someone who has spent over two decades immersed in Madhubani art, this news fills me with immense pride and a sense of belonging. It is not just an art form for me—it is a way of life, a language that speaks through lines, colours, and age-old motifs. I have had the honour of learning from many such traditional practitioners, and my work today—whether on canvas or textiles—stands on the shoulders of their wisdom.

Artists Representing Madhubani Art

Among the artists who were felicitated are some of the finest torchbearers of the Mithila painting tradition: Shanti Devi, Ambika Devi, Manisha Jha, Priti Karn, Ranjan Paswan, Urmila Devi, Shravan Paswan, Kumari Nalinee Shah, Moti Karn

Their contributions extend far beyond their own villages or regions. These artists have taken the visual language of Madhubani across India and the world, nurturing a legacy that dates back centuries—filled with symbols of fertility, spirituality, nature, and daily life. From intricate Kohbar paintings that bless newlyweds to vibrant depictions of gods, flora, fauna, and celestial bodies, their work tells stories that are timeless and deeply rooted in our soil.

Gond Art: A Celebration of Nature and Storytelling

The group also included renowned Gond artists, each known for their unique ability to translate  folklore and mythology into striking visuals:Durgabai Vyam, Subhash Vyam, Nankusia Shyam, Ram Singh Urveti, Dilip Shyam, Champakali, Heeraman Urvety, Japani Shyam Dhurwey

Gond art, like Madhubani, is a vibrant testament to the storytelling traditions of India’s tribal communities—where nature, animals, and ancestral spirits intertwine with patterns that mesmerize the viewer.

The Significance of Kala Utsav

Kala Utsav, the heart of this initiative, celebrates the diversity of Indian folk and tribal arts in their original, unaltered forms. It brings these forms into the national spotlight—not as relics of the past, but as living, breathing expressions of culture that continue to evolve and thrive. That this recognition comes from the highest office in the country sends a powerful message: that traditional art is not peripheral, but central to the Indian identity.

My Journey with Madhubani

My own journey with Madhubani art began with curiosity and grew into a lifelong devotion. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege to not only practice the art but also share it with others through exhibitions, workshops, wearable art collections, and collaborations with institutions. Every time I pick up the brush, I feel connected to a lineage that stretches back through generations of women and men who painted their walls, floors, and hearts with stories of gods, nature, and everyday life.

Seeing artists from the heartland of Mithila be acknowledged at Rashtrapati Bhavan is both humbling and inspiring. It reaffirms my belief that no art form is ever too "folk" or too "local" to command global respect. All it needs is a platform and recognition—and the artists will do the rest.

To the artists who were part of this special programme: Thank you for carrying the light forward. Thank you for keeping our heritage alive.

A Moment of Pride for Every Madhubani Artist!

The Bihar State Sports Authority has officially entered the Guinness World Records for creating the world’s largest Madhubani painting on canvas — a magnificent masterpiece made with natural colours like turmeric, beetroot, carbon, and flowers. 

Over three days, 50 students from the Mithila Chitrakala Sansthan, guided by six faculty members, brought this vision to life — painting not just a canvas, but a legacy. This record-breaking artwork is more than just a feat of scale; it’s a vibrant tribute to the timeless beauty of Mithila tradition. 

Speaking to ANI, Prateek Prabhakar, a teacher from the Mithila Chitrakala Sansthan, shared the details of this extraordinary accomplishment. "It is the largest painting on canvas made with natural colours. Fifty students from Mithila Chitrakala Sansthan worked on and completed this painting. These students were guided by six faculty members. All the colours used in this painting are natural, and it took us three days to complete it," said the teacher.

As a Madhubani artist, moments like this fill me with deep pride. To witness our age-old art form being celebrated on a global stage reaffirms everything we strive for — to preserve, promote, and evolve this living tradition. 

Let this record be a reminder: Madhubani is not just art — it is identity, storytelling, and soul.

A Journey Recognized: Top 20 Indian Art Blog for 2025!

 Dear friends and fellow art enthusiasts,

I'm thrilled to share some wonderful news with you today: this blog has been named one of FeedSpot's Top 20 Indian Art Blogs for 2025!

When I published my first post back in 2006, I never imagined where this journey would lead. What began as a simple desire to document my artistic experiments and growth has blossomed into something far more meaningful than I could have anticipated.

Looking Back

Nearly two decades ago, I sat at my desk, nervously clicking "publish" on that first post. I wasn't sure if anyone would read it, care about it, or connect with what I was sharing. Back then, the digital art community in India was just beginning to take shape, and I simply wanted to carve out a small space where I could reflect on my creative process.

Those early posts—filled with unrefined techniques and uncertain brushstrokes—documented not just art pieces, but a personal evolution. Each stroke, each color choice, each finished piece became markers on this winding path of artistic discovery.

The Numbers Tell a Story

Today, as I look at the counter showing over 375,000 page views, I'm humbled and somewhat amazed. These aren't just numbers; they represent connections, moments of inspiration shared, and a community that has grown alongside this blog.

But what matters far more than metrics are the stories we've shared:

• The comments where you've told me how a particular technique helped you breakthrough in your own work
• The messages about how certain pieces resonated during difficult times
• The photos you've shared of your own art inspired by something you saw here

To My Readers

This recognition belongs as much to you as it does to me. Without your continued support, engagement, and enthusiasm, this blog would simply be a personal diary. You've transformed it into a living community.

To my earliest followers who encouraged me when viewership was in the single digits—thank you for believing in this journey before anyone else did.

To those who have joined somewhere along the way—your fresh perspectives and energy have kept this space vibrant and evolving.

To the silent readers who visit but rarely comment—I see you in the analytics, and I create with you in mind too.

What's Next

This recognition from FeedSpot isn't an endpoint but a milestone on a continuing journey. It inspires me to:

• Explore new artistic territories I've been hesitant to share
• Collaborate more widely with emerging talents
• Create more in-depth tutorials based on what you've told me you want to learn
• Foster deeper discussions about Indian art in the global context

Gratitude

As I reflect on nearly twenty years of blogging about art, I'm filled with profound gratitude. For every comment, share, email, and word of encouragement—thank you. For pushing me to be better, to try harder, to experiment more boldly—thank you. For creating a space where creativity is celebrated in all its forms—thank you.

This recognition affirms what I've always believed: that art has the power to connect us across differences, that sharing our creative journeys matters, and that the Indian artistic voice deserves to be amplified on the global stage.

So here's to you, to us, to the next chapter of this artistic journey. I can't wait to see where it leads.

With a heart full of color and gratitude,

Vidushini

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What has been your favorite post or art piece from the blog over the years? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

A Heart in Ashes: My Reflections on the Dilli Haat Fire

As I sit to write this, my heart is heavy, my hands tremble, and my mind replays the vibrant colors of Dilli Haat now reduced to smoldering wreckage. I am a Madhubani artist, a keeper of Mithila’s ancient storytelling through intricate lines and vivid hues. For me, Dilli Haat was not just a marketplace—it was a sacred space, a cultural heartbeat where artisans like me poured our souls into creations that carried the weight of our heritage. 

The fire that ravaged over 30 stalls on April 30, 2025, didn’t just destroy goods worth crores; it incinerated decades of dreams, livelihoods, and the irreplaceable artistry of my fellow craftspeople. I am shattered, yet I feel compelled to share my anguish and hope for a better tomorrow.

Dilli Haat has been the cornerstone of my career. I still remember the first time I walked through its bustling lanes, my eyes wide with wonder at the kaleidoscope of crafts—Kashmiri shawls, Rajasthani pottery, and, most profoundly, the Madhubani paintings that spoke to my soul. It was here, surrounded by the work of fellow Madhubani artists, that I found my calling. Their intricate depictions of mythology, nature, and life inspired me to pick up my brush and tell my own stories. Over the years, Dilli Haat became my stage, where I showcased my art, connected with buyers, and felt the pride of representing Bihar’s rich tradition. Just last year, in my TEDx talk at Amity University, I spoke of Dilli Haat as a beacon for artisans—a place that gave us dignity, visibility, and a chance to sustain our craft in a world that often overlooks traditional art. To think that this haven is now a charred memory breaks me.

The news of the fire hit me like a physical blow. I saw the videos circulating on social media—flames leaping into the night, artisans standing helplessly as their life’s work turned to ash. I thought of Nitin Kumar, a fellow Madhubani artist, who lost half his inventory, painstakingly created over months. I thought of Rafiq Ansari, whose brass idols from Moradabad melted in the inferno. I thought of Haqeem Sajid, whose Kashmiri shawls, each a testament to years of skill, were gone in 22 minutes. These are not just losses of goods; they are losses of identity, of hope, of the very essence of who we are as artisans. For me, every Madhubani painting is a piece of my heart—a story of my ancestors, my culture, my struggles. To imagine those stories consumed by fire is unbearable.

My anguish is deepened by knowing that this tragedy could have been prevented. Shopkeepers have long pointed to the lack of fire safety measures at Dilli Haat. Expired or malfunctioning fire extinguishers, flammable materials like fiber and polythene used in stalls, locked emergency exits, and poor access for fire tenders were all accidents waiting to happen. Ram Kumar Yadav, another Madhubani artisan, rightly said, “If the shops had been built with safer materials, this might not have happened.” The Delhi Tourism Department manages Dilli Haat and must answer for this negligence. How could a cultural landmark, hosting 150,000 visitors daily, be so unprepared? How could the dreams of artisans, who travel from remote corners of India to sustain their craft, be so carelessly endangered?

I implore the government—both Delhi and central—to act with urgency and empathy. First, compensate the affected artisans fully and promptly. The losses are not just financial; they are emotional and cultural. Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra has promised compensation and an investigation into the fire’s cause, but words must translate into action. Artisans like Kuldeep Kumar, who lost chikankari kurtas worth Rs 80–85 lakh, or Ajai Shahu, whose jewelry worth Rs 70–80 lakh vanished, cannot wait months for relief. Second, Dilli Haat’s infrastructure should be restored with fire-resistant materials, functional extinguishers, accessible emergency exits, and regular safety audits. This must be a priority to ensure such a tragedy never recurs. Third, honor Dilli Haat’s original vision as a haven for genuine artisans, not traders or middlemen. The yellow-ribbon campaign by Dastkari Haat Samiti has long fought for this, and now is the time to listen.

Founder President, Dastakari Haat Samiti, Jaya Jaitly’s recent article captures this decline with honesty and clarity. I fully support her call to action. This tragedy must not be brushed aside with superficial fixes.

Dilli Haat is more than a market to me; it’s a tapestry of India’s soul, woven by the hands of artisans who keep our traditions alive. My connection to this place runs deep—it’s where I found inspiration, community, and purpose. I cannot bear the thought of it remaining closed, its gates sealed, its spirit silenced. I urge the government to rebuild the physical space and the trust and hope of every artisan who calls Dilli Haat home. Let this fire be a lesson, a call to protect our cultural heritage with the care it deserves. Let us rise from these ashes, brushes in hand, ready to repaint our stories.

With a heavy heart and unwavering resolve

Vidushini Prasad, A Madhubani Artist

About Dilli Haat:

Located on Sri Aurobindo Marg in South Delhi, Dilli Haat has firmly established itself as one of India’s most iconic cultural and commercial hubs, drawing locals, tourists, and artisans alike. Its journey to prominence is a story of vision, collaboration, and a unique blend of tradition and contemporary charm.

Dilli Haat was established in 1994 as a joint initiative by the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC), the Government of Delhi, and the Ministries of Textiles and Tourism, Government of India.

The concept, championed by craft activist Jaya Jaitly, founder of the Dastkari Haat Samiti, aimed to empower rural artisans by connecting them directly with urban consumers, bypassing exploitative middlemen. This foundational principle resonated strongly with both creators and customers.

Unlike traditional temporary weekly “haats”, Dilli Haat was conceived as a permanent yet dynamic marketplace. It successfully brought the vibrancy of rural India—its crafts, cuisine, and culture—into the heart of the metropolis. This fusion appealed immensely to Delhiites and tourists seeking authentic Indian experiences.

Sources: Information drawn from web reports on the Dilli Haat fire, including New Indian Express, The Indian Express, and LocalSamosa, as well as posts on X reflecting artisan sentiments.

Dilli Haat Fire: A Personal Reflection and Hope for Artisans' Revival

Dilli Haat has always held a special place in my heart. It was here that I first encountered the intricate beauty of Mithila art, sparking a lifelong appreciation for India's diverse handicrafts. The vibrant stalls, the artisans passionately showcasing their work, and the cultural tapestry woven through every corner made Dilli Haat more than just a market—it was a celebration of heritage.

On the evening of April 30, 2025, tragedy struck as a massive fire engulfed Dilli Haat. The Delhi Fire Service received the emergency call at around 8:55 PM and swiftly dispatched 13 fire tenders to the site to tackle the blaze. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, but the fire ravaged approximately 25 to 30 stalls, leading to the loss of goods worth crores. Artisans, who had dedicated decades to building their livelihoods, watched helplessly as their life's work turned to ashes. (Massive fire in Dilli Haat, 13 fire engines deployed - WATCH - India News | The Financial Express)

In response to this calamity, Delhi's Law and Justice Minister Kapil Mishra assured the affected vendors of compensation and support. He emphasized the government's commitment to helping artisans rebuild and regain their footing. This promise offers a glimmer of hope amid the devastation, signaling a path toward recovery.

However, the fire also brings to light longstanding issues within Dilli Haat. Originally envisioned as a haven for genuine artisans, the market has increasingly been dominated by traders and middlemen, sidelining the very individuals it was meant to uplift. Efforts like the yellow-ribbon campaign by Dastkari Haat Samiti have sought to reclaim space for authentic craftspeople, but challenges persist. (Mission derailed: Dilli Haat is meant for artisans but dominated by traders, Split Down The Middle: At Dilli Haat, a yellow-ribbon campaign to reclaim space for artisans | Delhi News - The Indian Express)

As we reflect on this incident, it's imperative to rebuild the physical structures and restore Dilli Haat's foundational purpose. By ensuring that genuine artisans are prioritized and supported, we can honor the market's legacy and its countless stories.

Let this be a turning point—a moment where we come together to preserve our cultural heritage, support our artisans, and ensure that places like Dilli Haat continue to inspire for generations to come.