Worksheet Solutions: The Women Painters of Mithila | New Pathways Class 6: Book Solutions, Summaries & Worksheets PDF Download

Q1: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

(i) What event led to the discovery of Mithila wall paintings by William Archer?
(a) Flood
(b) Earthquake
(c) Famine
(d) Storm
Ans: (b)
The discovery was prompted by a terrible earthquake in 1934 in Mithila.

(ii) What is another name for Maithili paintings, and where do they originate?
(a) Mandala paintings, Rajasthan
(b) Warli paintings, Maharashtra
(c) Madhubani paintings, Mithila
(d) Pattachitra paintings, Odisha
Ans: (c)
Maithili paintings are also known as Madhubani paintings and originate from the Mithila region.

(iii) What encouraged women in Mithila to start making paintings on paper in 1966?
(a) Art competition
(b) Drought
(c) Government mandate
(d) Cultural festival
Ans: (b)
The All India Handicrafts Board sent an artist to encourage women during a drought.

(iv) Where are Mithila wall paintings traditionally created in a hut?
(a) Bedroom
(b) Kitchen
(c) Place of worship, inner room, outer walls
(d) Living room
Ans: (c) Place of worship, inner room, outer walls
These three areas of a hut are traditionally adorned with paintings.

(v) In the 1950s and 60s, what did the government encourage to keep the Mithila painting tradition alive?
(a) Exportation of paintings
(b) Formation of painting schools
(c) Industrial development
(d) Support for artists
Ans: (d)
The government encouraged artists to preserve the tradition.

Q2: Fill in the Blanks

(i) Maithili paintings are also known as ________, originating from Madhuban in the Mithila region.
Ans: Madhubani paintings
The paintings are commonly known as Madhubani paintings.

(ii) Traditionally, women in groups would plaster walls with ________ before creating Mithila paintings.
Ans: Cow dung
Cow dung was used as a base for the paintings.

(iii) Ganga Devi, a Mithila artist, received the National Master Craftsman award for her exceptional ________.
Ans: Talent
Her skill and dedication earned her the award.

(iv) The three areas of a traditional hut adorned with Mithila wall paintings include the place of worship, inner room, and ________.
Ans: Outer walls or courtyard
These areas were traditionally beautified with paintings.

(v) Mithila paintings evolved over time, appearing on various items such as clothes, greeting cards, and ________.
Ans: Pen stands
Urban demands led to their adaptation on different items.

Q3: Match the Column (In a Table)

Ans:

Q4: True or False

(i) Mithila wall paintings are traditionally created only on the inner walls of the hut.
Ans: False
Mithila wall paintings are created on the place of worship, inner room, and outer walls.

(ii) Ganga Devi, after receiving the National Master Craftsman award, bought a house in the city.
Ans: False
Ganga Devi bought a farm with the award money, not a house in the city.

(iii) The government's encouragement in the 1950s and 60s led to a shift in the basic style of Mithila paintings.
Ans: True
Artists started expressing their unique styles, contributing to a shift in the basic style.

(iv) Maithili paintings originated from a region known as Mandala, meaning "circle" in Sanskrit.
Ans: False
Maithili paintings originated from Madhuban in the Mithila region.

(v) The All India Handicrafts Board sent an artist to Mithila in 1966 during a flood.
Ans: False
The artist was sent in response to a drought in the region.