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My phone screen lit up with the picture of a saree like no other. Durga, the Goddess with ten weapons in as many hands rejoicing after slaying the evil demon Mahishasura, while Her loyal lion stands guard. The most revered deity in my part of the world came alive on tussar silk. I was captivated, and wanted to frame it on my wall for the world to see.
This was not my first tryst with Madhubani-painted sarees though. About twenty odd years ago on one of my window-shopping sprees in my hometown Kolkata, I had ended up in a Bihar festival in the courtyard of New Market. One of the stalls was selling these sarees for Rs 5000 each. That was much before social media with fancy hashtags, and paintings on sarees were not really heard of.
I was only a medical student and did not have enough pocket money to afford it. And since I hardly wore sarees back then, did not wish to ask my parents for more. But I remained fascinated and went back the next day with all my savings to buy a painted stole for Rs 1000.
My search for the perfect Madhubani-painted saree continued and in 2017 I discovered Asha-ji. I cannot recall how I was introduced to her. It might have been through social media, or word of mouth, or I may have read an article on her and tracked her down (I have been known to ‘stalk’ artists!). I knew she was a National award-winning painter and decided to have a look at her portfolio. And that my friends is how my phone lit up, with the picture of a saree like no other.
Madhubani is a millenia old art form originating from the Mithila region of India, now in Darbhanga division of Bihar. Like other folk arts, it traditionally uses naturally available colours like turmeric, sandalwood, indigo, ochre and lampblack using twigs, leaves and fingers as tools. Originally, they adorned walls and floors to mark weddings and festivals and depicted Hindu mythology and rituals. Due to the untiring work of artists like Mrs Asha Jha and the patronage of Government of Bihar, Madhubani, literally meaning ‘forest of honey’ has now spread its sweetness all over the globe.
Asha-ji is one of the most inspirational people I know. She learnt painting at a tender age and used to paint for others for free. She did not intend to use her art for commercial purposes and carried on being a housewife till her husband lost his job. By then she had three daughters, and another was on her way. To make ends meet she had first thought of working as domestic help, but her children encouraged her to work for local Madhubani art centres. It was not an easy ride as wherever she went, she was exploited, and her financial situation continued to suffer. Finally, with her daughters firmly beside her and Rs 500 in her pocket, she decided to work independently, and Madhubani Paints by Asha Jha was born.
2018 
2019 
2020
Asha-ji has raised five strong and independent daughters. They are the wheels that run the venture, managing everything from modelling and photography to order fulfilment to brand management. In the last few years, I have seen them grow by leaps and bounds and I have no doubt about the huge efforts that continuously happen behind the scenes. From making paintings at home to sell them door-to-door, to now having a brick-and-mortar store, a second label called Gubbaro and thousands of loyal clienteles, they have come a long way. Their carefully crafted Instagram posts are in themselves lessons in aesthetics.
A bespoke bridal saree decorated with Madhubani 
Gubbaro makes ready-to-wear for all
Asha-ji is not just an entrepreneur and an artist. She is a teacher and has trained thousands of women in Madhubani. She employs 200 local women artists whom she considers part of her family. Whenever I see them sharing success stories on social media, my heart swells with pride. Even though I have never met any of them, they are now my own. They engage with my irrelevant Facebook updates, are genuinely concerned when I am unwell, share my posts even when they are about other artists. In fact, Asha-ji consistently promotes other Madhubani painters without any sense of competition. Few days ago, when I saw her smiling beside the new car she purchased with her hard-earned money, I felt Karma does exist.
Celebrating 10K followers on Insta 
Women at work
Maybe I am being presumptuous here, but I assume raising five daughters in the heartlands of India must not have been an easy job. I feel emotional whenever I think about it, perhaps because I too am fortunate to have supportive parents. I wish all daughters of India enjoy same opportunities as Priti, Kriti, Uma, Divyani, Shatakshi and me.
Till date Asha-ji has come up with more than 100,000 designs without compromising on the authenticity of the art form. The Mahishasurmardini saree is one of their best-sellers, and I was one of the first to flaunt it! I also have, what I think is the world’s first, and possibly only, Madhubani-painted jeans. Yes, you read that right! I love to upcycle my clothes and had sent Asha-ji one of my old jeans and a kurta Vikram did not particularly like. The resurrected outcome is here for you all to see.
An old kurta brought back to life 
My Madhubani-painted jeans
Madhubani Paints by Asha Jha has truly introduced the world to the beauty of Bihar. They paint on sarees, dupattas, cushion covers, masks, bags, among others. Their sister label Gubbaro is about ready-to-wear in innovative Madhubani designs. Both the brands offer customisation and clients get the opportunity to choose fabric materials, colours and even designs. They paint on both silk and cotton but because of the proximity of Darbhanga to Bhagalpur, one of the tussar hubs of India, I would personally go for tussar.
I had ordered a couple of cushion covers with the saree and like always, had instructed to ship them to my parental home in Kolkata. Few months later when I visited, I found one cushion cover missing. On closer inspection it was clear that the parcel was tampered with. I informed Asha-ji’s team to feedback to the shipping company. Uma and Divyani immediately wanted to send a replacement but I declined as it clearly was not their fault. “Ma insists”, pat came the reply.
Art Form- Madhubani painting
Artist- Asha Jha
Contact- +91 7503694644
Social media-
https://www.instagram.com/madhubanipaints/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/madhubanipaints/
https://www.instagram.com/gubbaro_/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/madhpaints
Website- https://www.madhubanipaints.com/
Languages- English, Hindi, Maithili, Nepali
Amazing work
Thank you. And coincidentally my Mahishasurmardini is on sale today for women’s day!
Babubibi is a high quality trademark whatever platform they appear in. It is always a pleasure indulging in everything this duo have to offer.
Thank you so much. That’s so nice of you 🙏🏼
Wow lovely
i like the Tshirt worn by your husband
Thank you 😊