During the onset of the popularity of Madhubani paintings, only a few Brahmin women used to practice this art form. However, about ten years later, women from the Kayastha community came forward and introduced a new style called Kachni Style. It is also commonly known as Line Art.
Kachni originated from the small town of Kranti village in Madhubani. The pioneer of this style was Ganga Devi, born in 1928 in the Mithila region of Bihar. She was an expert in Kachni and was awarded the National Award in 1976 and was honored with the Padma Shri Award.
Kachni art plays a wide role in representing Madhubani and is one of the unique genres. The element that makes it different from other styles is the rendering instead of filling.
Closely drawn parallel lines and small dots are used and the thickness of these lines depends on the design. The whole art is based upon different types of line work.
The paintings are often colored monochromatically, sometimes even left uncolored. Mostly, black and vermilion are used.
Other than vermilion, usually soft colors are used for the filling of lines which provide a very serene and calming look to the art piece. Mainly flowers, animals, and other peculiar features of natural aspects are depicted through this style.
This remarkably unique and extraordinary style of Madhubani painting with intricate details manages to amuse, intrigue, and fascinate people with its beauty.
Author: Pratichi Rai Editor: Rachita Biswas