Visitors take a look at the Madhubani paintings at the exhibition. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, Feb. 26: There seems to be some hope left for the art of Madhubani painting, from Madhubani (Bihar), which is struggling to find buyers in order to survive, principally because of its high cost of production.

The Madhubani artists are now planning to cut down the cost of production by using cheaper raw materials.

Bhavesh Kumar, an artist participating in a Madhubani exhibition that was inaugurated today at Marwari Brahman Bhawan, said the painters are now thinking of buying cheaper raw materials to ensure they reduce the cost of production.

?Low cost of production would mean lower price for the paintings, which could lure connoisseurs of the art. As of now, an average Madhubani painting is completed in about a month and it costs anything between Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000. But after cost reduction, we intend to bring it down to the price range of Rs 500 to Rs 800,? Bhavesh added.

In Madhubani paintings, which have found place in the living rooms of clienteles in several countries, including Japan, Canada and USA, artists make use of expensive natural colours, extracted from leaves, carrots and turmeric. But now, they are planning to use fabric colours that come much cheap.

But then a question arises: by replacing the traditional raw materials used in the paintings, which distinguishes it from other works of art in the same category, would the artists not be compromising on the exclusivity of the art form?

?Yes, it will. But we have few choices. There are a number of Madhubani painters who earn their bread and butter through this art form. If they can sell their products by bringing about some changes in the raw material, they will definitely go for it?. We need support from the government, which we are not getting. We are here to promote Madhubani paintings in Jharkhand. Because of the lack of funds, only three artists could manage to come from Bihar,? Bhavesh pointed out.

An artist from Sitamarhi, Bihar, Jagmohan Krishan, said he is imparting training in Madhubani paintings to 40 illiterate villagers free of cost to help the popular art form survive. He added that earlier, only natural colours were used in the paintings, but now, fabric colours are being used to lower the cost.

At the fair, which will continue till March 4, several other household decorative items such as bed-sheets, designer bangles and soft toys are also available.