In a quiet Bihar village, women gather around a mud wall, their nimble fingers dancing with brushes laden with vibrant colours. They are creating Mithila art, or Madhubani paintings, an ancient tradition that continues to captivate hearts worldwide.

The year was 1934, when a devastating 8.0 magnitude earthquake shook Nepal and northern Bihar. Amidst the destruction, a discovery was made that would take this art form to the world.

British officer William Archer, posted as Magistrate in Madhubani, was surveying the damage when he stumbled upon something extraordinary – murals painted on the walls of damaged homes.

“What I saw took my breath away,” Archer wrote. “The art was there and made us one…I saw beauty in the mud.” The vibrant depictions adorned the kobhar or marriage chambers, celebrating prosperity and fertility.

The origin of Mithila art is said to date back to King Janak’s era, when murals celebrated the marriage of Sita to Lord Rama. Today, its timeless beauty continues to captivate.

The dyes used are obtained from natural materials — black from cow dung, blue from indigo, white from rice powder and bright colours from flower petals.

Archer was intrigued by the differences he noticed among households. Brahmin women painted with restraint and finesse, while Kayastha women used bold, forceful strokes, creating striking contrasts in style.

Determined to share Mithila art with the world, Archer published a paper in 1949. Though the world didn’t take notice immediately, his fascination with the murals planted the seed for its eventual global acclaim.

In 1966, cultural promoter Pupul Jayakar worked with artist Bhaskar Kulkarni to train women from Jitwarpur and Ranti villages to recreate Mithila art on paper, giving it a portable canvas.

By 1967, these artworks were exhibited in New Delhi. Soon, they travelled to international galleries in Japan, Europe, and the US, sparking global appreciation for the art form.

The intricate patterns of Mithila art tell stories of love, nature, and mythology. Using natural pigments, each painting bursts with colour, leaving no space untouched — a tradition preserved through centuries.

Many visionaries, from anthropologists like Erika Moser to journalists like Yves Vequaud, promoted Mithila art globally. They sold these works overseas, ensuring profits returned to the artisans.