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Preserving Heritage: Bougainvillea Art Foundation Hosts Madhubani Workshop in Delhi


On August 3, 2024, the Bougainvillea Art Foundation brought a vibrant celebration of tradition to Delhi with a special workshop dedicated to the preservation and promotion of India’s traditional arts. The event also aimed to bridge the gap between women artists and the art market—empowering them to turn their passion into sustainable livelihoods.

The heart of the workshop was Mithila art, a centuries-old painting tradition from Bihar’s Mithila region, known globally as Madhubani painting. With its intricate patterns, natural dyes, and deep cultural symbolism, this art form has been passed down through generations—mainly by women.

Guided by Masters of the Craft

The sessions were led by two specialists, each offering their expertise on various aspects of the art world—from creative processes to market access.

One of the most notable resource persons was Arpana Pathak, a celebrated Madhubani artist from Madhubani, Bihar.

Arpana Pathak’s credentials speak for themselves:

  • Designed and created traditional Madhubani artworks for exhibitions and custom orders.
  • Produced over 50 custom art pieces for clients across India.
  • Conducted multiple workshops introducing Madhubani techniques to art enthusiasts.
  • Trained 100+ participants in traditional Indian art forms.

Her session in Delhi offered a hands-on experience for participants, covering the use of natural pigments, intricate linework, and storytelling through motifs—a hallmark of Mithila art.

The second resource person, Alpna Jha, is a Madhubani art master artisan and the President of Apnaa Konaa Creative Foundation (AKCF), New Delhi. With over 20 years of experience in female empowerment, she hails from Bihar—the birthplace of Mithila art—and has dedicated her life to using this art form to empower women and inspire social change.

In 2014, she founded AKCF as a non-profit organization with the noble mission of giving underprivileged women a voice through art. Her foundation has brought the tradition of Mithila painting to diverse mediums—handmade paper, lustrous silk, and soft cotton—while providing skill development, income opportunities, and creative platforms to over 100 women.

Under her guidance, women artisans have created large-scale wall art in various parts of New Delhi, earning recognition from the Governor of Delhi. Her expertise has also been acknowledged by prestigious institutions such as the National Cooperative Union of India and the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, which has recognized her as a master craftsman and a key resource person for Mithila art.

A Hub of Young Creativity


The event saw active participation from Delhi University’s North Campus students, many of whom were exploring traditional art for the first time. Their enthusiasm turned the workshop into a lively space where tradition met fresh imagination.

The Foundation’s initiative not only preserved a treasured cultural heritage but also sparked important conversations about women’s representation in the art market, fair pricing for artisans, and the global potential of traditional Indian art.

A Step Toward Cultural Revival

The Bougainvillea Art Foundation’s workshop served as a reminder that preserving art forms like Madhubani isn’t just about keeping traditions alive—it’s about enabling communities, especially women, to share their voices and stories with the world.

With efforts like this, the vivid lines and colors of Mithila will continue to flourish, inspiring new generations while holding on to the spirit of the past.

 

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