PRESERVING ARTISTRY THROUGH SUSTAINABLE MADHUBANI PRACTICES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v7.i8s.2026.7979Keywords:
Madhubani Painting, Intangible Cultural Heritage, Sustainable Art Practices, Natural Pigments, Eco-Friendly ArtistryAbstract [English]
Madhubani painting, one of India's most ancient and revered folk-art traditions originating from the Mithila region of Bihar, stands at a critical crossroads between cultural preservation and contemporary sustainability challenges. This research paper examines the intersection of traditional artistry and sustainable practices within the Madhubani painting tradition, exploring how eco-conscious approaches to materials, pedagogy, market integration, and institutional support can ensure the survival and revitalization of this UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage. Drawing upon qualitative field research, ethnographic interviews with master artisans, secondary analysis of government policy documents, and a comprehensive review of existing scholarly literature, the study identifies the principal threats facing this tradition—including the proliferation of synthetic materials, declining intergenerational transmission of knowledge, economic marginalization of artisans, and environmental degradation resulting from unsustainable production methods. The paper proposes a multi-dimensional framework for sustainable Madhubani practice that encompasses the revival of natural pigment preparation, community-based pedagogical models, fair-trade market linkages, digital archiving, and policy-level interventions. The findings suggest that sustainability in Madhubani art is not merely an environmental imperative but a holistic cultural, economic, and pedagogical necessity. The study contributes to a growing body of scholarship at the nexus of fine arts, cultural heritage studies, and sustainability science, offering actionable recommendations for policymakers, institutions, NGOs, and the artisan communities themselves.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Aishwarya Saraf, Mohmad Rijwan Ahmad, Dr. Prasad Kumar Swain
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