Trains with traditional makeover a big hit in Bihar
Twitter users share pictures of the Bihar Sampark Kranti Express
Atrain in Bihar just got a makeover and Twitter users in India are loving it. Indian social media users are sharing pictures of the train, Bihar Sampark Kranti Express, which starts from Darbhanga junction in the Indian state of Bihar.
The old dark blue coloured coaches have been repainted with traditional Mithila art work, also called Madhubani painting.
On Twitter, @RailwayNorthern posted pictures and a video of the transformation: “The famous Mithila Art (Madhubani Paintings) has been beautifully painted on Bihar Sampark Kranti Express train recently ... has enraptured the passengers. While it traverses the country, it will surely spread the art throughout the nation.”
The coaches of the train were painted with fingers, twigs, matchsticks, and brushes using natural dyes and pigments.
United Nations India (@UNinIndia) tweeted: How beautiful are these #IndianRailways trains! Women from #Bihar painted these coaches with traditional #Mithila art ...”
Mithila painting or Madhubani art is a famous folk art in the Mithila region of Bihar and in the neighbouring country, Nepal. Originally the art was used to paint walls in mud huts. Gradually, the colourful paintings found their way in to art that adorned traditional artefacts like cloth, wooden furniture and mud pots. They also became popular in other parts of India and the world. Many thought this was a great way to encourage local artists and showcase this traditional Indian form of art.
Twitter user @tanya_bora posted: “Wow! This is so beautiful! #Mithila art should be brought in the limelight so that more and more village women get chances to showcase their talent, this would open up more ventures.”
Promote local art
Indian newspaper, Hindustan Times quoted Samastipur Divisional Rail Manager, RK Jain, as saying: “The train in question is the first to get such a comprehensive makeover showcasing traditional artwork. This is part of a bigger experiment to promote the local art and culture on a larger canvas and showcase nuances of artwork to the public.”
In May 2018, the Madhubani station, under the Samastipur division, was also declared the second best at an All India Railway Station Beautification contest.