A 2500-year-old folk art, the history of Madhubani paintings is said to date back to the time of Ramayana when king Janaka asked an artist to capture his daughter Sita’s wedding to Prince Rama. These paintings were usually created by women on walls and floors of homes during festivals, ceremonies, or special occasions.

Madhubani paintings are characterized by figures that have prominently outlined, bulging fish-like eyes and pointed noses. The themes of these paintings usually include natural elements like fish, parrot, elephant, turtle, sun, moon, bamboo tree, and lotus.