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Bharti Dayal
In 2000, when Bharti first joined us, she expressed a wish to win the National Award for excellence in handicrafts, also known as the President's Award. She made her dream come true in 2007.
Latest Update: National award-winning artist, Bharti Dayal says, “I have represented the country and Madhubani art on... Latest Update:
National award-winning artist, Bharti Dayal says, “I have represented the country and Madhubani art on various global platforms by amalgamating Hindu mythology and contemporary social, political and philosophical issues of today's day and age. I sit at the forefront of this art form, having won many awards and inspiring today’s generation to take pride in our history and creativity. Using mediums of newspapers, public platforms and social media, I have created and fused the Madhubani art form with contemporary and classical themes. My works have been a token of national pride presented to various presidents and prime ministers of other countries.
“Since my childhood days in Mithila, through all the struggles in redefining and reviving this national art form while raising my two children by myself, I continue to be an asset to Indian art and culture. I have devoted a significant portion of my time to training over 1100 youth in this art form for bringing in continual changes in their work. Due to my unabated devotion, Madhubani paintings have moved across the frontiers of India. Nine international exhibitions held across all 4 continents, exclusively depicting Madhubani paintings, have received huge all-around acclamation. An exhibition of 30 of my rare works has been in Belgium for a year now. More than 30,000 artists of Madhubani art look upon me as their savior and guide. I have taken up their cause and concerns at multiple platforms and levels, fought aggressively and got them resolved.
“Through the fusion of the ancient Madhubani art form and modern times, in my 40-year-long voyage, I have not only revived this art form but ensured that it gets significant recognition and distinct positioning among leading art forms of India. My works traverse a very wide range and are displayed in public and private collections of the rich and famous. They also find a place in the offices of presidents, prime ministers and senior bureaucrats. I have handled any detractors with patience and got them to come around and acknowledge the intense relevance of this art form in bringing together man and nature, addressing social and economic distortions and spreading a message of peace, love and harmony.
“My quest is to assimilate the changing cultural needs and tastes into the very essence of Madhubani paintings and popularize this folk art form and aid the economic development of the folk artisans to keep alive the rich cultural heritage of India. My works are essentially an amalgamation of the ancient Madhubani art form and modem times, without deviating from the core features of the Mithila tradition.”
Achievements:
My work has found a place in the prestigious collections of:
Original Artist Story
"Born in December, 1961, I come from Samastipur in northern Bihar, a region corresponding to the ancient kingdom of Mithila in epic times. This region bears high eminence in ancient Indian history, and preserves the rich heritage of folk paintings known as Mithila, or Madhubani paintings. As an artistically inclined girl, I learned this art form from the elders of my family. I would watch my mother and grandmother make alpana paintings, aesthetically inspiring auspicious designs with raw wet crushed rice on the floor of the houses, and sketch epic scenes on walls.
"Madhubani paintings are a simplified manifestation of the philosophic underpinnings characteristic of Indian folk traditions. Ironically, the revival of this form of painting is linked to the deprivation of the Darbhanga district of Bihar during the affliction of terrible drought and famine in 1967. Folk paintings on paper, transposed from the walls which were decorated in houses of Mithila, were specifically promoted to save folks from dire starvation.
"Today, Madhubani paintings are executed with natural vegetable dyes on handmade papers, and fabric colors on cotton and silk. My post-graduate degree in botany has helped me in identifying natural sources of colors from plants. I commenced my work on professional lines in 1984. Since 1991, I have stayed and worked in New Delhi. I sought to redress a deplorable practice that had seeped into the work of Madhubani painters. Most of them, scarcely educated, only replicated earlier works, even if the original piece was stricken with egregious flaws. While remaining true to our traditional roots, I sought to induce an intellectual edge into my paintings, thus lending them a more contemporary look. Today I have several associate Madhubani artists in Bihar with whom I work in unison to create unique works of art. No time frame can be given for the completion of a painting. It can be a whole day under the effect of inspiration, while others can linger on for months.
"I have been decorating the Bihar Pavilion wall during the India International Trade Fair at New Delhi for the last seven years. As an index of appreciation for my paintings, I have sold over 2,100 paintings in the last ten years of my professional career. In March 1995, French Television made a documentary on my paintings that was subsequently shown on Discovery Channel. In 1991, I received a prestigious award from All India Fine Arts and Crafts for fifty years of art in independent India. I was selected for the 71st Annual Paintings competition of All India Fine Arts and Crafts in 1998 and for the 9th All India Fine Arts and Craft competition for traditional painting, 1999. I won the state Award for Kalamkari in Mithila painting titled for the year 2000-01. My painting, 'Eternal Music,' received the top award in the Millennium Art competition from AIFAC for the year 2001.
"I am also engaged in research of my own wherein I intend to prove that a Mithila/ Madhubani painting is the fountainhead of much folk artistry in India and even abroad. While I wish to cater to art-lovers with paintings on classical themes with contemporary tempering, it remains my ardent desire to win the National Award for excellence in handicrafts. I have great hopes for widening the international exposure to my art. My ardent desire is to spread cosmic harmony among humankind through my work."
We at Novica wish to congratulate Bharti's triumphs during the time we have known her:
In 2000, when Bharti first joined us, she expressed a wish to win the National Award for excellence in handicrafts, also known as the President's Award. She made her dream come true in 2007.
Other accolades include the National Merit Award in 2002 and 2005. Between 2003 and 2006, her work was constantly displayed at the AIFAC (All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society). Her work competed among 500 entries nationwide, for which 30 to 40 are selected, thus becoming a prestigious event for an artist to be included in. Also, in 2002, one of her paintings was presented to Sehba Musharraf, wife of Pakistan's president at the time, Parvez Musharraf. In 2005, more of her paintings were selected to be displayed at the Prime Minister's office, as well as the Finance Ministry's office.
National award-winning artist, Bharti Dayal says, “I have represented the country and Madhubani art on various global platforms by amalgamating Hindu mythology and contemporary social, political and philosophical issues of today's day and age. I sit at the forefront of this art form, having won many awards and inspiring today’s generation to take pride in our history and creativity. Using mediums of newspapers, public platforms and social media, I have created and fused the Madhubani art form with contemporary and classical themes. My works have been a token of national pride presented to various presidents and prime ministers of other countries.
“Since my childhood days in Mithila, through all the struggles in redefining and reviving this national art form while raising my two children by myself, I continue to be an asset to Indian art and culture. I have devoted a significant portion of my time to training over 1100 youth in this art form for bringing in continual changes in their work. Due to my unabated devotion, Madhubani paintings have moved across the frontiers of India. Nine international exhibitions held across all 4 continents, exclusively depicting Madhubani paintings, have received huge all-around acclamation. An exhibition of 30 of my rare works has been in Belgium for a year now. More than 30,000 artists of Madhubani art look upon me as their savior and guide. I have taken up their cause and concerns at multiple platforms and levels, fought aggressively and got them resolved.
“Through the fusion of the ancient Madhubani art form and modern times, in my 40-year-long voyage, I have not only revived this art form but ensured that it gets significant recognition and distinct positioning among leading art forms of India. My works traverse a very wide range and are displayed in public and private collections of the rich and famous. They also find a place in the offices of presidents, prime ministers and senior bureaucrats. I have handled any detractors with patience and got them to come around and acknowledge the intense relevance of this art form in bringing together man and nature, addressing social and economic distortions and spreading a message of peace, love and harmony.
“My quest is to assimilate the changing cultural needs and tastes into the very essence of Madhubani paintings and popularize this folk art form and aid the economic development of the folk artisans to keep alive the rich cultural heritage of India. My works are essentially an amalgamation of the ancient Madhubani art form and modem times, without deviating from the core features of the Mithila tradition.”
Achievements:
- Created the 1st NFT in Madhubani art (Tree of Life), 2021
- Participated in the BIHAR GAURAV SAMMAN (Icons of Bihar) on Bihar Diwas, 2021
- CENTER FOR WASHINGTON CULTURAL TRADITIONS organized live interactions for an Indian National Award Winner's insight into the changing trends and evolving forms of Madhubani painting, 2021
- Works published in ‘Vibrant Folk Art of Mithila’, Salar Jung Museum, Ministry of Culture, Government of India Hyderabad, 2020
- Participated in EPCH VIRTUAL SHOW, 2020
- Buy a plate, Fill a plate: Participated in the Plated Project which helped to fight hunger with art, 2019
- TED Talk in 2019 on ‘Philosophy of Madhubani Art’
- Works published on Pressreader for ‘Asian Arts, Arts and Art Style’, 2018
- Participated in a 'Tree of Life' exhibition held in Taiwan, 2018, where 67 masters of art from 16 countries participated
- Guest lecturer on Madhubani art at Tomorrow's India Global Summit in 2018 participated by 200 students
- Featured art in the book, ‘Madhubani Art’ written by Harris Tobias, 2018
- Participated in a Madhubani Art Exhibition in Spain by MOSA Foundation, 2017
- Participated in Textile India 2017 Ahmedabad by Ministry of Textile
- Participated in the Magic of Gifted Hands showcased in the French Fashion Capital Paris, France, 2016
- UNO Magazine, Fall 2016 – Cover illustration by Bharti Dayal
- Illustrated book ‘Money & Elephant Fables in Ancient Madhubani Art Tradition’ by Casita Press, 2016
- Exhibition of Madhubani Painting at the Conde Duque, Madrid, Spain, 2016
- Exhibition and Workshop of Madhubani Painting at UNESCO, 2016
- Kotak Mahindra Bank launches “Kotal Silk Inspire” Credit Card designed exclusively by Bharti Dayal, 2016
- Celebrating India in Shanghai at China Art Museum, 2016
- Published book on Madhubani art by Bharti Dayal through Niyogi Publication, 2016
- Exhibition Madhubani Art (Indian Art Series) Bharti Dayal, 2015 to 2016, Mosha Belgium, Durbey
- Painting Yashoda Krishna presented to Honorable Prime Minister Sh. Narender Modi by Chief Minister Sh. Nitish Kumar, 2015 at Patna
- Mosa Exhibition, 2015 at Belgium
- Honoured with Gandhi Priyadarsh Int Award
- Exhibited at INDIART GALLERY, Belgium, 2013
- Exhibited 'Radha' at Gurgaon Hotel Galaxy, 2013
- Exhibited at Banyan Shade, Singapore, 2013
- Exhibited in Living Traditions London, an Indian Art Exhibition, 2013
- Divinity through Humanity exhibition, at MUSEUM OF SACRED ART, Durbuy, Belgium, 2012
- Honoured with The Vishist Bihari Samman amid festivities to commemorate 100 years of Bihar, 2012
- Exhibited at Delhi’s Winter Carnival, 2011
- Exhibited at Tendence-messe, Frankfurt, Germany, 2011
- Invited to Hyderabad House for dinner with India PM, 2011
- Paintings displayed in Jaya Utsav Exhibition titled Sacred Geography & Aesthetic Expressions at Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, Matighar, New Delhi, 2011 for celebrating Living Traditions of Mahabharata
- Rare collection of "Radha Krishna Paintings" in Mithila style displayed at Nehru Centre, London, 2011
- Participated in Madhubani Art Exhibition in commemoration of 61st Republic Day of India, sponsored by The High Commission of India and Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Cooperation at Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies, 2011
- Guest of Honour, UGC sponsored, International Seminar on Heritage Tourism, Vashi Mumbai
- Represented Mithila Painting of India during the CWG, 2010
- Painting displayed at the INA Metro Station, Delhi One of its own kind Prestigious Art & Craft of India
- 2010 International Woman entrepreneur award 25th Indo-Thai Entrepreneurs Summit
- Awarded "Quality of Excellence" Achievers Forum India
- Participant "Budapest International Fair", 2010, Budapest, Hungary
- Solo exhibition on ‘Radha the Universal Power of Love, Longing and Peace’ at New Delhi under the auspices of Indian Council of Cultural Relations - India's most eminent Institution engaged in fostering Cultural Relations between India and rest of the world, 2010
- Set of seven special paintings shipped for Radhadesh, Museum of Sacred Art, Belgium, 2010
- Participated in prestigious Wood Stock Festival Poland, 2008
- Exhibited works in Handicraft and Gift Fair. (Greater Noida, New Delhi) organized by EPCH, 2008
- Displayed paintings at Craft Exchange Program of SAARC Countries Meet at Delhi Hatt, Pitampura, 2008
- Painting ‘7 Tree of Life’ selected for display at Festival of India, Argentina, 2008
- Exhibited work at Pravasi Bharti Divas, 2007
- Participated to present creations at Dillihat, 2006, New Delhi
- Work selected for All India Fine Arts & Crafts Society's Annual All India Competition in 2003-05
- Silver Medal for Mithila painting by AVANTIKA, 2004
- Gold Medal for Mithila painting by AVANTIKA, 2003
- National Merit Award for Mithila Painting in 2002, 2005
- Three paintings selected for Prime Minister's House from C.C.I.C. of India
- Painting presented to Mr. Arun Shourie- IT and Telecommunications Minister
- Exhibition in American Embassy in 2003, 2004, 2005,2006, 2007
- Exhibition in Canadian Embassy in 2003
- Achieved Millennium Award from All India Art and Craft Society, 2001
- Achieved State Award for year 1999-2000 in Mithila Painting
- Work selected In 9th All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society Traditional Paintings competition
- Achieved scholarship and award for the year 1997 from All India Fine Arts & Craft
- Approved artist for C.C.I.C. (Central Cottage Industries Corporation)
- Documentary film by Sangha Production, released in France, 1995. Film directed by Fredric Soften and Dominique Rabotteau
- Exhibited work spanning the entire spectrum of Mithila forms in five distinct dimensions at AIFACS, New Delhi, 1993
- A wall painting in original Madhubani tradition embellished at the residence of Mrs. Hema Murat Deora ai Lodhi Estate, New Delhi
- Has the distinction of achieving the highest sale of Madhubani work from Bihar Emporium, New Delhi in 1992-1993
- Sole approved artist in Delhi Emporium in the field of Madhubani Paintings
- Unique distinction of selling over 150 paintings to visiting tourists from abroad in last five years
- Decorated Bihar Pavilion wall during India International Trade Fair at New Delhi in the years 1991-97
- Selected by the organizing committee of International Print Congress, New Delhi and submitted 200 paintings to be distributed to visiting foreign dignitaries
My work has found a place in the prestigious collections of:
- Office of the Prime Minister of India
- Governor, Reserve Bank of India
- Delhi Metro
- Ministry of External Affairs, India
- Minister of Commerce, US Embassy
- First Secretary, US Embassy
- Seba Musharraf, wife of President of Pakistan
- Mosa Belgium
- Museum of Eminence, Norway
- Host of private collections in USA, France, Canada, Australia and West Indies
- Hema Murli Deora, wife of Mr. Murli Deora, Minister of Petroleum and Gas
- Mr. SS Hitkari, a prominent collector at Delhi
Original Artist Story
"Born in December, 1961, I come from Samastipur in northern Bihar, a region corresponding to the ancient kingdom of Mithila in epic times. This region bears high eminence in ancient Indian history, and preserves the rich heritage of folk paintings known as Mithila, or Madhubani paintings. As an artistically inclined girl, I learned this art form from the elders of my family. I would watch my mother and grandmother make alpana paintings, aesthetically inspiring auspicious designs with raw wet crushed rice on the floor of the houses, and sketch epic scenes on walls.
"Madhubani paintings are a simplified manifestation of the philosophic underpinnings characteristic of Indian folk traditions. Ironically, the revival of this form of painting is linked to the deprivation of the Darbhanga district of Bihar during the affliction of terrible drought and famine in 1967. Folk paintings on paper, transposed from the walls which were decorated in houses of Mithila, were specifically promoted to save folks from dire starvation.
"Today, Madhubani paintings are executed with natural vegetable dyes on handmade papers, and fabric colors on cotton and silk. My post-graduate degree in botany has helped me in identifying natural sources of colors from plants. I commenced my work on professional lines in 1984. Since 1991, I have stayed and worked in New Delhi. I sought to redress a deplorable practice that had seeped into the work of Madhubani painters. Most of them, scarcely educated, only replicated earlier works, even if the original piece was stricken with egregious flaws. While remaining true to our traditional roots, I sought to induce an intellectual edge into my paintings, thus lending them a more contemporary look. Today I have several associate Madhubani artists in Bihar with whom I work in unison to create unique works of art. No time frame can be given for the completion of a painting. It can be a whole day under the effect of inspiration, while others can linger on for months.
"I have been decorating the Bihar Pavilion wall during the India International Trade Fair at New Delhi for the last seven years. As an index of appreciation for my paintings, I have sold over 2,100 paintings in the last ten years of my professional career. In March 1995, French Television made a documentary on my paintings that was subsequently shown on Discovery Channel. In 1991, I received a prestigious award from All India Fine Arts and Crafts for fifty years of art in independent India. I was selected for the 71st Annual Paintings competition of All India Fine Arts and Crafts in 1998 and for the 9th All India Fine Arts and Craft competition for traditional painting, 1999. I won the state Award for Kalamkari in Mithila painting titled for the year 2000-01. My painting, 'Eternal Music,' received the top award in the Millennium Art competition from AIFAC for the year 2001.
"I am also engaged in research of my own wherein I intend to prove that a Mithila/ Madhubani painting is the fountainhead of much folk artistry in India and even abroad. While I wish to cater to art-lovers with paintings on classical themes with contemporary tempering, it remains my ardent desire to win the National Award for excellence in handicrafts. I have great hopes for widening the international exposure to my art. My ardent desire is to spread cosmic harmony among humankind through my work."
We at Novica wish to congratulate Bharti's triumphs during the time we have known her:
In 2000, when Bharti first joined us, she expressed a wish to win the National Award for excellence in handicrafts, also known as the President's Award. She made her dream come true in 2007.
Other accolades include the National Merit Award in 2002 and 2005. Between 2003 and 2006, her work was constantly displayed at the AIFAC (All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society). Her work competed among 500 entries nationwide, for which 30 to 40 are selected, thus becoming a prestigious event for an artist to be included in. Also, in 2002, one of her paintings was presented to Sehba Musharraf, wife of Pakistan's president at the time, Parvez Musharraf. In 2005, more of her paintings were selected to be displayed at the Prime Minister's office, as well as the Finance Ministry's office.
