A Chance Meet And A Journey Begins........

(Source: MITHILAsmita Website)

We just brush each other, smile, a casual question, and begin a whole conversation on paintings. She was on her way back to her gallery in J.P.Nagar, after saying few words on social entrepreneurship in Yahoo office and I was typing my blog for our NGO, sitting in a Volvo Bus.

Her response to my ‘What do you do?’ intrigued me – ‘We preserve Art’.  MITHILAsmita, her organization directly connects with the artisans of Madhubani paintings, also popularly known as Mithila Paintings and creates a market for their art form, ensuring the heritage of this art is preserved and reaches true patrons of original painting in India and across the world.

In this whole exercise, the exploitation of middlemen, if not eliminated is reduced to a large extent, who most often dilute the dignity of the art, by compromising on the content of the art to commercialize it, little realizing that this self serving attitude, could actually lead to extinction of the art form, which is not only our country’s pride but a reliable source of income for many households in the villages of Mithila.

One serious dive into its history tells us, how this ritual function which is primarily a women’s tradition, has evolved in the past decades. The earth quake in early 1930s and severe draught in the late 1960s compels the women to take this art form from their house walls to paper, which not only got them public attention and recognition but also generated income for their families.

Ramosara Foundation has been working on revenue generating models and exploring avenues to run their old age home and this chance meet had a world of possibilities. Immediately, the journey began to join voices, hands and walk the way together.

Every purchase of Mithila painting from MITHILAsmita, J.P.Nagar will support the cause of Ramosara Foundation, in the construction of Vridhashray and running the home.

Karigar, Ramosara Foundation’s extended arm to showcase art, handicraft and products prepared by both artisans, folk artists from lower economic classes and established painters from across the country aims to be a creative mind’s abode and will display Mithila paintings as well. More about this project to be shared on this blog and website soon!

With every purchase of these aesthetically rich paintings or any other product from MITHILAsmita, multiple social causes will be served, preserving Art, supporting the artisans, saving the heritage and meeting RSF’s objectives.

To experience the satisfaction of being part of this, join us in this journey!

***************