Maithili Art and Craft
Janakpur, a city in Nepalıs eastern Terai, is a Hindu
pilgrimage site with legendary history. Janakpur was once the capital of a
kingdom called Maithila whose territory extended into present day Bihar and it
remains today the center of Maithili culture in Nepal. Janakpur Handicraft
Center (JHC) is one of the leading centers for Mithila arts and crafts
established 14 years back in 1994, in Janakpur .
Mithila Art of Nepal are very different from the Madhubani
Art of India however both of them are known as Mithili Art.In JHC it is a part
of family ceremonies, village festivals and religious celebrations. JHC aims to
support the economically backward and rural Maithili women by providing them
opportunity to earn using their indigenous knowledge of art. In male dominated
Maithili society however their hands are full of creativity women are
neglected. They are not allowed to do external work and make decisions. So JHC
working on awareness of Maithili women is empowering women by making them
self-independent.
The JHC has built its foundation upon the rich artistic
heritage of Maithili women. These women have had to endure severe rest due to
practices of their culture. The center provided them their first opportunity to
earn as income and to develop artistic creations.
JHC has been participated in many joint exhibitions and also
organized numbers of solo exhibitions at different places and galleries in
Kathmandu since last ten years to expose artistic talent of Maithili women. Its
creation of new crafts and various designed arts have always attracted the eyes
of art lovers.
Maithili culture has its own language and rich literary
tradition, and a womenıs tradition of painting and handicraft which has been
passed down from generation to generation. Examples of the women arts can be
seen in the mud homes in villages nearby Janakpur. Visitors to the JHC notice
the artistic tradition alive on the walls of the neighboring village.
The uniquely designed womens training and cultural center is
one of the best of its kind to celebrate the arts of Janakpur and use the
traditional arts of women for their empowerment. The painting tradition varies
from caste to caste.
Mainly JHC produces Mithila art on handmade Lokta paper and
handmade cotton clothes as well as on notebooks, photo frames, writing sets,
recycled cards, mirrors, ceramics, bags, cushion covers, table clothes, ash-
trays, T- shirts, Tapestry and many other crafts. Because of this industrys
long experience and fair trade it has spread its name widely. JHC has made its
market in UK, USA, and Japan and will be soon expanding in other countries.
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