Page 12 - Apr-Jun 2018
P. 12
Madhubani Mud Mastery
Location: Bihar; Rural
Physical Features: Humid Subtropical climate; Flood prone
Before British colonization in 1870, huts made of mud walls were the standard construction. These were known as
kutcha huts. Since it is not made of durable material, it needs regular maintenance. Let’s look at some of its features.
Yashashvi Jha, VI D, Delhi Public School, Sec-45, Gurgaon
SHAPE
The shape of the house varies depending on the
ROOF requirements of the people inhabiting the house. They
are constructed based on convenience.
The roof is mostly thatched
as the material to make such
a roof was very easily and
locally available and did not DECORATION
cost much for the inhabitants. To make their houses
beautiful, they paint the
WALL exterior walls with designs
from their traditional form of
The walls are thick to keep art, which is Madhubani. This
the insides comfortable is mostly done in Madhubani
irrespective of the and Gaya districts.
temperature outside. It stays
cool in the scorching summers
and warm in the winters.
LAYOUT
An average, rectangular hut is approximately 5 to 6
DOORS AND WINDOWS metres (15 to 18 feet) long and 3 to 4 metres (10 to
12 feet) wide. It is also built on a raised platform. The
Most of these houses have just one front of the house has a verandah where people can
opening, which is the main door. If interact with their neighbours.
they do have windows, they are small
and placed very high for ventilation
purposes only. This prevents outsiders BENGAL BECKONS
from looking inside, and it also keeps In the beautiful Sunderbans, the
unbearably cold or hot winds out. houses are quite unique. They are
primarily made with mud, along
with clay, bamboo, dried leaves,
ACTIVITY: BAUL BALLADS stones, and cow dung. There is an
eff ort being made now to bring
The musical culture of the Bauls of Bengal the traditional roots back into
has inspired village life in Bengal for many architecture.
centuries. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (13 th Traditional Bengali houses have
century) was the most renowned and
two rooms, a veranda, a well
respected Baul singer.
ventilated kitchen, washing area, and a vegetable garden. They are
Research and fi nd any such music that placed in the North-South orientation so that all houses enjoy the
inspires village life in your region. breeze as well as protection from the sun. Most homes have their
own water body called pukurs. This is used for bathing, washing as
well as for breeding fi sh.
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