VINITA JHA has taken Mithila’s signature art form to a sublime level. The artist, 56, whose paintings are showcased in museums and private art centres across India and the US, says the genre is famous for its culture-based themes. The world-renowned Mithila artist, who has been feted with several awards and accolades, believes, “there is an artist hidden in everyone”. Her paintings not only depict the ills of society, but also focus on the need to get rid of them. Her recent works depict women’s empowerment, dowry, the burden on women during the pandemic and similar issues, writes RAJEEV RANJAN
Fish Jalaraasa
Glimpse of a painting made by Mrs. Jha. Here is a representation of a group of fishes as one family – the painting starts with the bigger fishes at the border and ends with the smaller fishes in the middle. This is a painting which shows that if we live in unity then no external force in the world can break our unity. On the other hand this painting is also very delightful from the decorative point of view.
District guest house, Madhubani district, Bihar
Vinita Jha and her team were chosen to do the Madhubani painting for the beautification of the district guest house in Madhubani. It was done
using the famous theme of Mithila, ‘Sita-Rama Varmala’.
Vinita Jha and her team at work at the Madhubani district guest house.
Kamaldah
A cluster of lotus blooms in a pond. For a marriage, this design is made on the floor and is the centre of attraction of the kohbarghar. It is representative of growth and family development. Used for every important ritual, this is the most common theme of Mithila painting.
Woods scene
In every jungle there is a unity among the animals and they live together as a complete family. This forest scene represents a family.
Har Ghar Tiranga
On the 75th anniversary of India’s independence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged all citizens to mark Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav and hoist the Indian Tricolour atop their homes. A special painting, “Har Ghar Tiranga”, by Vinita Jha on 15 August 2022 received many accolades
from every media and every section of the community.
A view of Fish-Raasa
Fish pairs in the circles.
Painting a mural
Vinita Jha decorating the walls of the Mithila Chitrakala Sansthan, Madhubani. She is also the first Acharya of this institute, affiliated to AKU, Patna, and is always inspiring young artists to become a legend like herself.
Splendour of Madhubani
The beauty of Madhubani art carves out its own niche in any setting.
Radha and Krishna on the swing
This is a Vrindavan scene in which Radha and Krishna are swinging happily and the Gopis are enjoying the sight, feeling blessed to be witnessing it, and joy prevails everywhere.
Fish-Raasa II
Everywhere in the pond unity and equality peek through.
Krishna Leela scene
In this delightful painting, set in Vrindavan, Radha and Krishna are depicted in various scenes in the same frame.
Gautam Buddha
After attaining Enlightenment, Prince Siddhartha became famous as Gautam Buddha. The tree depicted is the tree of knowledge. Vinita Jha’s intended message here is that anybody who concentrates on his goal and moves forward on that path with complete honesty and integrity will be unstoppable in achieving success.
Ganga Aarti at Varanasi Ghat
A view of Ganga Aarti is presented in Madhubani style in this painting by Vinita Jha.
Vinita Jha making a design on a silk saree. A versatile artist, she can paint on almost any surface.
