Mithila painting training workshop announced

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Jan. 25: To promote Mithila art, a four-day experimental Mithila painting training programme is set to be organised in Kathmandu. The training is being jointly organised by Mithila Thali by Chef Santosh Shah, Sudi Mahila Kalyan Samaj, and Rotary Nyatapola.

Targeted at women and children interested in Mithila art, the programme will provide training on the basics of Mithila painting, including fundamental skills, design techniques, and colour combinations. The sessions will be conducted by experienced instructors.

The training will take place from January 28 at different outlets of Mithila Thali run by Chef Santosh Shah. The first day’s session will be held at Naxal, the second day at Gaushala, and the third day at Jhamsikhel.

Following the three consecutive training days, a final competition will be organised after a 10-day interval at the Mithila Thali outlet in Naxal. 

Chef Santosh Shah said the training aims to take Mithila painting beyond Janakpur and promote it nationally and internationally. Emphasising the importance and history of Mithila art, he stressed the need to develop it as a professional and income-generating skill. He added that empowering women through such skills and preserving religion, culture and tradition are key objectives of the initiative. “Passing down Mithila culture to the younger generation is essential and training programmes serve as a key means of achieving this."

Similarly, Ruby Mahato Purve, President of Sudi Mahila Kalyan Samaj, highlighted the need to make women self-reliant. “Instead of staying idle at home, women can participate in such training programmes, learn skills and earn an income. Women who received training from us earlier are now earning independently,” she said.