Baoa Devi's work has travelled to Germany and been exhibited in several countries but the Madhubani artist is disappointed with the response to the art form back home.
Three days into the Patna Book Fair, only two of Baoa Devi's works have sold at her stall set up on Gandhi Maidan. The artist, who was recently awarded the Padma Shri, is unhappy with the lack of awareness about the art form among the state's people.
On Saturday and Sunday, only one piece each of her Madhubani work was sold for Rs 2,500 and Rs 2,000. "Very few people are taking interest in the Madhubani artwork here," she said. "More awareness needs to be generated about this traditional art form."
She said although people were visiting the stall to enquire about Madhubani artwork, hardly anybody was taking any interest in buying them. "Two years ago, my 5ft Madhubani painting was sold for Rs 1.25 lakh at Dilli Haat. In other states and abroad also, I have received better response."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2015 had handed over a Madhubani painting by Baoa Devi to Hannover mayor Stefan Schosstok. Her artwork has been exhibited in Japan, France and the United States among other countries. Teams from Japan have been visiting the artist over the past 20 years to document her work. She has visited Japan more than a dozen times as well.
The internationally acclaimed artist has said her mother-in-law Gunja Devi provided her the much needed support to flourish her artwork.
"I got married at the age of 12. My mother-in-law Gunja Devi, who knew about my interest in the art form would ask me to fill in the walls of my mud house with Madhubani paintings, when I came to my in-laws' house after marriage. I would work on the paintings in the night as well, as it gave me immense pleasure," she said.
Baoa rose to fame after the visit of Bhaskar Kulkarni, an aide of Indira Gandhi, to her village in the 1960s.
Pupul Jayakar, a friend of the former Prime Minister, had sent Kulkarni to Madhubani for the uplift of the traditional art form. Kulkarni supplied material to Baoa Devi and her paintings found their way to government handicraft shops in Delhi and other cities, and slowly she emerged as one of the most recognised Madhubani painters in the country.
Resolves on canvas
Students of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) will start painting on a 12x12 canvas the seven resolves of chief minister Nitish Kumar at the Patna Book Fair from Tuesday. Around 100 students from fashion accessories, fashion communication, textile design and foundation programme from the institution will paint on the theme in collaboration with Baoa Devi, Sikki artist Jitendra among others.
The India Art Investment Company has set up the "Made in India art and craft village" on the book fair premises and that's where the team will work on the canvas.
NIFT-Patna centre coordinator Pavittar Punit Singh Madan said: "Art is the best way to express anything. The chief minister's seven resolves are related to the next four-year programmes for road connectivity, clean drinking water, electricity, toilet in houses and we support all these programmes. The students have decided on the themes and the traditional art forms they will include in the work."
Madhubani, Sikki and Gond work among others will be used on the canvas.