Original Large Mithila (Madhubani) Artwork: Ram and Sita Engagement Ceremony

Unframed artwork, painted on hemp paper.

Painted in Janakpur, Nepal. 

The story of Mithila artwork dates back to times of severe hardship due to drought and famine during the 1960s. In order to earn money to buy food the women of the house painted their artworks on canvas. The history of the artwork dates much further back in time as traditionally Mithila art was engraved in the home on the freshly plastered mud walls during times of celebration like weddings or festivals. This was practiced for centuries and the techniques passed down through the generations.

Today women in Janakpur in the Terai area of Nepal, as well as women from neighbouring Indian districts, Bihar and Jharkhand, are reviving this form of devotional art to help support their families and lead a life of dignity. Nowadays many families are leaving mud houses in favour of cement buildings so less of this artwork is practiced today as it was in the past. But the efforts of the women painting the Mithila art on canvas and generating income from them is helping keep the tradition alive.

We at Heaven Hemp decided to take the step of helping to sell original pieces of artwork from Janakpur due to once again the area facing hard-times. The tourism industry in Nepal has been slowly reviving itself after the pandemic, but if it is possible for us to sell to buyers in the UK who can appreciate these pieces of art in their homes and also directly help support these women in Janakpur through bringing them a livelihood through art, then we believe this is a good and sustainable venture. 

The original artwork will be shipped directly from Nepal upon purchase. 30% will be for a charity we manage here in Nepal.