| Godawari Dutta | |
|---|---|
 Dutta (second from right) receiving the Shilp Guru award in 2008 | |
| Born | 1930 Bahadurpur, Darbhanga district, Bihar and Orissa Province, British India |
| Died | 14 August 2024 (aged 93) Ranti, Madhubani district, Bihar, India |
| Known for | Painter |
| Movement | Madhubani |
| Awards |
|
Godawari Dutta (1930 – 14 August 2024) was an Indian painter, known for her Madhubani paintings. She was a recipient of India's fourth highest civilian award, the Padma Shri.
Early life
Godawari Dutta was born in 1930 in Bahadurpur, Darbhanga district, Bihar, India. She was taught to paint by her mother, Subhadra Devi, herself an artist. At 10 years old, Dutta's father died and together with her three siblings she was brought up by her mother. Dutta married in 1947 and gave birth to a son whom she raised alone.
Work and career
Dutta began painting at the age of six, first on walls and then on paper only in 1971. Dutta was well versed in the Kayashta style of Mithila paintings, which favours black and white contrasts, and she used bamboo sticks to paint. Reoccurring themes of her art are the portrayal of characters from Ramayana and Mahabharata, as well as events of daily life such as marriage or dance. Dutta trained both students and teachers under India's Centre for Cultural Resources and Training.
Dutta had frequently visited Germany and Japan, where she would stay at times for up to a year. A set of works that she created during that time were displayed in Mithila Museum in Takomachi, Japan, and Fukuoka Asian Art Museum.
In December 1983, Dutta founded Mithila Kala Viaks Samiti, an NGO that aims to fight poverty through education, and to promote the Madhubani style of painting. The organization is engaged in designing and implementing programmes for disadvantaged communities. Dutta also helped rural women to become financially independent, and was a proponent of girls’ education.
In 2019, Dutta was awarded the Padma Shri by President Ram Nath Kovind.
Death
Dutta died on 14 August 2024, at the age of 93.
Awards
- National Award (1980)
- Shilp Guru (2006)
- Padma Shri Award (2019)
References
- "abhivyakti" (PDF). Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ Kumar, Smita (16 March 2014). "Artist to chart new waters, in book - Octogenarian comes a long way from scared girl to face of Mithila art". Telegraph India. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
- "Les peintures de style Mithila du Bihar (Inde du Nord)". Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ "80 Years long journey of Godavari Dutta behind Padma Shri". Patna Beats. 15 April 2019. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
- "いわき市立美術館年報 平 成 23 年 度, p. 14" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ Karelia, Gopi (29 January 2020). "Mud Walls to Museums: 93-YO's Madhubani Paintings Stun All, Bags Padma Shri". The Better India. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- "Mithila Painting Icon and Padma Shri Awardee Godawari Dutta Passes Away at 93". newsd. 14 August 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
External links
- Documentary by Doordarshan on YouTube (in Hindi)
- Interview with Folkartopedia on YouTube (in Hindi)
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