10/09/2026
Mithila art is a traditional art form practised and safeguarded by women artists of the Mithila-speaking community in Madhesh. It tells a story of religion, culture and everyday life. If you walk through the streets of Janakpur one of these days, you will see freshly painted Mithila murals.
Mithila Maajh, as part of our Equal Together grant, supported women artists in Janakpur to bring the stories of 10 inspiring Madhesi women from diverse backgrounds to life through Mithila art. The result is a collection of public portraits celebrating the women’s lives, work, and contributions across the city; heritage walks based on the women’s stories and a school engagement programme with more than 500 students, encouraging young people to learn about the women shaping their own community. The public art naturally sparked conversation across the city, and one response captured the spirit of the project: 'It's great to see non-celebrity portraits out in public; these [stories] are relatable and inspiring.’
Mithila Maajh celebrates women’s stories, makes local heritage more visible, and inspires the next generation to see, value, and learn from the women around them.
More on our gender grant programme: https://www.britishcouncil.org.np/programmes/climate-change/in-our-hands/gender-grants
