A new take on Mithila artform

Umesh Shah’s collection of paintings and prints is primarily inspired by the rich culture and history of his hometown in Sarlahi.

When I saw the exhibition ‘Allegories of Mithila Art Culture & Lifestyle’ by artist Umesh Shah, I was fully expecting traditional Mithila paintings. But I was pleasantly surprised. The paintings and prints weren’t traditional at all; in fact, they were a modern take on the iconic art form. Mithila art, that I was familiar with, usually featured natural elements or scenes from Ramayan or Mahabharat. But Shah’s works don’t fully resemble the Mithila style. At first glance, they appeared peculiar, but as I delved deeper, only then did the analogy of the mythical and terrestrial allegory of ancient and modern Mithila culture begin to emerge. Shah’s works emulate the simplicity of the modest lifestyle of his hometown in Sarlahi.