BEIJING, Aug 11: Indian diplomatic missions in China have organised interactive workshops on Madhubani painting to showcase India’s rich folk-art heritage and strengthen cultural ties during celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of Independence.
The Indian Embassy in Beijing hosted a hands on session on Tuesday, introducing participants to the distinctive patterns, vibrant colours and traditional techniques associated with Madhubani painting. The programme was organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in collaboration with Routes2Roots.
The embassy said the workshop provided art enthusiasts an opportunity to engage directly with the traditional Indian art form and gain a deeper appreciation of the country’s diverse cultural heritage.
A similar programme was organised by the Consulate of India in Shanghai on Monday, drawing nearly 200 members of the Indian diaspora and Friends of India in China.
Consul General Pratik Mathur inaugurated the event and highlighted the significance of India’s folk traditions in preserving the country’s cultural identity and connecting communities.
Mathur said Madhubani painting, which originated in Bihar’s Mithila region, holds a distinctive place in India’s cultural and civilisational heritage. He emphasised the importance of presenting such traditional art forms to international audiences as part of India’s wider cultural outreach.
The Shanghai event also featured young students Han and Liu from Shanghai Jincai International School, who were felicitated by the Consul General for their efforts to promote awareness of Indian traditional art.
The students had recently travelled to India through a student exchange programme and are now working on an innovative technology platform aimed at increasing awareness and encouraging greater understanding of traditional Indian art forms, including Madhubani.
The initiatives in Beijing and Shanghai highlighted the role of cultural exchanges in building stronger people-to-people connections while introducing international audiences to India’s longstanding artistic traditions.