“पूरा खानदान इस कला से जुड़ा हुआ है (Pura Khandaan Iss Kala Se Juda Hua Hai)”: The Living Madhubani Legacy of Nilam ji and Sanjeev Ji.
Nilam ji was born in the Madhubani district of Bihar, while Darbhanga is her sasural, the home of her husband, Sanjeev ji. Both she and her husband are traditional Madhubani artists. She shared that the tradition of Madhubani art has been preserved and passed down through several generations of their family, including her parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. As she proudly remarked, “ पूरा खानदान इस कला से जुड़ा हुआ है (Pura khandaan iss kala se juda hua hai),” meaning that the entire family is deeply connected to this art form.
Since Class 7 or 8, Nilam ji has been actively engaged in drawing and painting, gradually transforming it into both a passion and a source of livelihood. Over the years, she has developed the ability to create Madhubani artwork on a wide range of surfaces, including fabric, sarees, walls, home décor items, and more. As she explained, “पानी और आग छोड़के सब में काम करते है (Pani aur aag chhodke sab mein kaam karte hain)” meaning that they can paint on nearly every surface except water and fire.
Discussing the techniques involved in their craft, she noted that they do not use ordinary fabric colours. Instead, they source specialised materials and colours from external suppliers to maintain the quality and authenticity of their work.
Speaking about sales and livelihood, Nilam ji remarked with a smile that success often depends on luck and timing - “कभी होता है, कभी नहीं (Kabhi hota hai, kabhi nahi)” While some days bring good sales and recognition, others may not, yet the art continues to thrive through their dedication and the enduring strength of tradition.