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Mithila Art Institute
After numerous discussions with local painters it was agreed that the
Ethnic Arts Foundation should establish a free Mithila Art Institute (MIA)
in Madhubani to encourage and support the development of the younger generation
of Mithila painters. In 2003 twenty-five competitively selected and highly
talented students (20 women and five men) studied at the Institute in
a year-long program under the direction of Santosh Kumar Das, one of the
major contemporary painters. Several other painters also helped instruct
the students regarding specific images and techniques. The students ranged
from 18 to 28 years old. Some of the students had totravel daily by bus
or bicycle from distant parts of the Mithila region, and modest scholarships
were available for those who could otherwise not attend. Starting in March
2004 another 20 competitively selected students began their studies at
the Institute, while eight of the most talented students from the first
year continued working on a variety of special projects during 2004. Then
in March 2005 another class of 25 students was selected from a competition
among 207 applicants.
Santosh Kumar Das, the Director of the MIA, is assisted by an Advisory
Board composed of major local painters and leaders; Godaveri Dutta, Shanti
Devi, Krishnanand Jha, Judge Jha, and Professor Das, as well as Joseph
Elder, Parmeshwar Jha, and David Szanton. The Institute provides free
instruction, working and exhibit space, materials, and a supportive community
for these young artists. The major emphasis is on developing their painterly
skills and imaginations, while retaining a rootedness in Mithila traditions
and aesthetics. They are also being introduced to broader cultural issues
in the Mithila and Indian traditions, as well as the arts of other regions
of the world. In addition, the students are encouraged and assisted in
developing their personal capacities to discuss and represent their work
to various national audiences and foreign visitors.
Paintings by several of the students were included in a recent exhibition
in San Francisco and some have been bought by collectors there.
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