Maithili Culture

Maithili Culture

Village Life

A photo essay from the courtyards, kitchens and fields of Mithila.

Photo Essay

A day, slowly told.

From the lighting of the chulha at dawn to the rolling-up of mats at dusk — the village does not hurry, and neither does our food.

Sunrise over the paddy fields, just outside the village
Sunrise over the paddy fields, just outside the village
The Bilona, where curd becomes ghee
The Bilona, where curd becomes ghee
Pulses on a hand-painted Madhubani tray
Pulses on a hand-painted Madhubani tray
Spices, sun and the cracked earth of summer
Spices, sun and the cracked earth of summer
Morning along the village lanes
Morning along the village lanes
Hands that have known harvest for generations
Hands that have known harvest for generations
Grain laid out to dry on the courtyard
Grain laid out to dry on the courtyard
Madhubani — the wall as canvas
Madhubani — the wall as canvas
A village kitchen at golden hour
A village kitchen at golden hour
The wooden Kachi Ghani at first light
The wooden Kachi Ghani at first light
Paddy in the river plains
Paddy in the river plains
Folk motifs on a festival door
Folk motifs on a festival door