Mithila: Birth of Democracy in the Land of Acharyas

  

The Mithila kingdom is unique in many ways. Firstly, the kingdom hood of Mithila is not decorated with wars but knowledge. Mithila was never known to have vast armies and it has no history of accession.

When the prince of Ayodhya, Lord Rama, got married to the princess of Mithila, the natural question that baffled the strong and vast kingdom of Ayodhya was why their prince choose Mithila. When Lord Rama was poised this question, he highlighted the power of knowledge that the kingdom of Mithilanchal possessed by virtue of its Acharyas. The Acharya’s, Sanskrit word for learned men/ professors/ gurus, have always played a pivotal role by participating in the decision making in this kingdom. They were the first to establish the concept of collective decision making by having the council of learned men to guide the King Wherein King would rarely go against the wishes of his learned council. 

Mithila had a total of 57 Janaks or Kings who ruled for over 2000 years. The last king of Mithila was known to be of bad character. Hence, the people along with the Acharya’s overthrew him and established the rule of the council of ministers in different roles much like modern day cabinet. These council of ministers were learned men or Acharyas from different fields like Law, Medicine, Commerce, Spirituality etc. elected by the people of Mithilanchal thus establishing the world’s first democracy. Mithilanchal continued to be ruled by learned men or Acharyas for many centuries. Mithilanchal thus got the name of Land of Acharyas. 

Years later neighboring Licchavi dynasty annexed Mithilanchal and formally established the democratic system of electing rulers by timely election. Modern day democracy, the most successful form of governance, has its roots in this system of elected representatives, ministers and the Prime Minister erstwhile Maha-Mantri.       

imithila.com engages in promoting and selling the original form of Mithila / Madhubani paintings on clothes and handmade paper. For taking these auspicious paintings home, log on to www.imithila.com. If you want to share more details about this tradition, please write to us at business@imithila.com.  

Happy Women's Day

Okay..So this is my third blog and because its women's day, I have decided to dedicate it to all the beautiful, strong and independent women out there. In Mithilanchal, which was known as the epitome of knowledge, women were always treated with utmost love and respect, Till a few decades ago, all the women used to write Devis meaning "Goddess", instead of the surnames.  Rightly so, as she is the symbol of strength or "Shakti", "Annapurna" feeding the family and "Lakshmi" bringing prosperity. Its amazing to see how a woman  molds herself according to any situation. One moment, she can be gentle like a dove and the very next, can be rock solid also. There is much more to a woman than her appearance, its her strength, her ability to the see the world in a different way, her perseverance which makes her special.

On this women's day, I want to say to all the lovely ladies, All you girls have been pretty amazing. Thanks for being a part of this world. Without you all, this world cant be even imagined. Continue being awesome!!.


imithila.com engages in promoting and selling these original form of Mithila / Madhubani paintings on clothes and handmade paper. For taking these auspicious paintings home, log on to www.imithila.com. If you want to share more details about this tradition, please write to us at business@imithila.com 
 

Some more Facts about Mithila Painting

Madhubani painting or Mithila Painting is a unique style of folk art practiced in the Mithila region of North Bihar and Nepal border. Janakpur in mithila is the birth place of Goddess Sita because of which she got the name Janki. 

Goddess Sita is the Avatar of Goddess Lakshmi and consort of Lord Ram. Her other names being Siya, Maithili, Vaidehi and Bhoomija. There is a famous temple in Janakpur nam "Janki Mandir" dedicated to Goddess Sita. Goddess Sita had chosen Lord Shri Ram in a ritual called "Swayamwar" organised for her wedding at "Janakpurdham" after which  they got married in a temple near this Janki Mandir. Having said this, besides contributing to the literary works, Mithila has scriptural importance also as it is Lord Shri Ram's in-laws place or "Sasural" in hindi. 

The first mention of Mithila was in Yajurveda Samhita and witnessed the beginning of Treta yuga.  It has its mention in Buddhist Jatakas, Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas.

Being one of the oldest civilizations of Indian history, legend of Mithila extends over many centuries. Even Gautam Budhha and Mahavira are said to have spent considerable parts of their lives here. Mithila has been the center of Indian history contributing to various literary and scriptural works.

imithila.com engages in promoting and selling these original form of Mithila / Madhubani paintings on clothes and handmade paper. For taking these auspicious paintings home, log on to www.imithila.com. If you want to share more details about this tradition, please write to us at business@imithila.com 

Facts About Madhubani Painting You will find Very Interesting

Today, we would be discussing few facts about Madhubani  Painting which make it unique.

1.The Indian culture is among the oldest known civilizations of the world. It has manuscripts, religious books and Vedas which represent it as the oldest known form of human civilization. Among many legendary books and stories, one is Ramayana. Ramayana is the story of an obedient Son Lord Rama and his devoted wife Goddess Sita. The first instance that can be traced to Madhubani painting is related to their marriage. It is largely believed that Madhubani painting tradition started when the king Janak of Nepal commissioned local artists to paint murals in his palace in preparations for the marriage of his daughter Sita to Lord Ram. 
Thus, " Madhubani painting represents the first instance of painting ever making this the oldest folk art recorded on earth."

2)  Originally, paintings were done on walls of the Kohbar Ghar or the nuptial chamber. The paintings depicted an assembly of symbolic images of the lotus plant, the bamboo grove, fishes, birds and snakes in union. These images represented fertility and proliferation of life. It is widely believed that putting these auspicious paintings in bedrooms helps bring in fertility to the family.

3)  Initial paintings were made on walls coated with mud and cow dung. Over the centuries Mithila women have also painted them on handmade paper and clothes.  These paintings are made from the paste of powdered rice and the colors used are derived from plants and flowers making them an organic product.

4)   Through centuries and times even historians can’t predict, the skill has been limited to Mithila belt of India and Nepal with the content and style remaining the same. Precisely because of this, Madhubani painting is being accorded the coveted GI (Geographical Indication) status.

imithila.com engages in promoting and selling these original form of Mithila / Madhubani paintings on clothes and handmade paper. For taking these auspicious paintings home, log on to www.imithila.com. If you want to share more details about this tradition, please write to us at business@imithila.com