UDBHAV Special Feature on an Artreach Community Arts Project led by Avinash Karn WOMEN MADHUBANI ARTISTS FROM CHANDIDIH, JHARKHAND
Udbhav is an ongoing community arts project initiated by artist Avinash Karn in 2015 with Artreach. Avinash, who hails from Ranti village in the Madhubani district of Bihar, has brought Madhubani painting to the tribal women of Chandidih Village (Jharkhand), through Udbhav. Here, we presents a glimpse of Udbhav and the work by the inspiring artists of Chandidih: Kanjo Munda, Lalita Munda, Maini Munda, Nikita Toppo, Puja Munda, Sanjoti Bediya, Sapna Toppo, Manita Kumari, Seema Munda, Tannu Toppo
Avinash Karn (center) with some of the women artists and their families, Chandidih village, Jharkhand
"I have been training this group of about 9 tribal girls and women through regular art workshops in Chandidih since 2015, with Artreach. Through this engagement, they got a chance to express, show and earn through art for the first time. During the recent lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic, their primary livelihood options have dwindled. Some of them used to sell wild-berries, firewoods, handmade grass-brooms etc to local haats every weeks which is no more an option for now. I have been connected with them since 2014 and I feel so bad to see them facing these adversities. This is an effort to help them during this time!" - Avinash Karn
IMPACT OF COVID-19
During this ongoing challenging lockdown since March 2020, we hope to make it possible for this group of tribal women artists from Chandidih to find a source of income and sustain their livelihood. Please do consider supporting the artists, any amount will go a long way at this moment. All contributions will go directly to the artists to be distributed equally among them. Generous contributions of 5,000 INR or above will receive a unique hand painted Madhubani artwork, by one of the artists from Chandidih!
Celebrating Nature: Painting by Sanjoti Bediya
Sanjoti likes festivals very much. She enjoys dance and celebrations performed as rituals in Sarna Dharam (Sarna religion). She often talks about the importance of nature and how we should save trees.
Or please contact Avinash on his WhatsApp number +91-9889140529 or email avinash.artist@gmail.com (not all the women have bank accounts and Avinash will be responsible for complete distribution and updates on your contributions with you).
