This motif comprising two birds symmetrically facing each other in a beak to beak union, is usually painted above the central lotus plant, almost like a pinnacle. This placement is most appropriate for this divine pair because it presides over the well being and the future destiny of the newly married couple. In popular Mithila belief, bidh and bidhata are female and male birds respectively. They govern the course of events of every individual life.
This pictorial image of bidh and bidhata, as it appears in the wall painting of the nuptial chambers of the Kayasthas of Mithila, is brilliantly captured on paper in dazzling shades of magenta, pink, deep green and orange. The colours, through vastly contrasting are used in a manner that is extremely pleasant to the eye. The space in between the two bird is used by the lotus flowers, important symbols in the bridal chambers. These two birds, facing each other with conjoined beaks do not represent identifiable birds but are imaginary mythological ones. But as is well known, Madhubani art is more symbolic then representational.
This description by Kiranjyot
Of Related Interest:
Madhubani Painting (Hardcover Book)
An Introduction to Madhubani Paintings (Article)
Our Complete Collection of Madhubani Paintings
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