So you think art is a luxury and it has no purpose to serve in society? I would rather differ here. Art is not just a mode of creativity and expression. It performs various functions in both negative as well as positive sense of the word. Great many artworks have contributed to the evolution of human civilization. Apart from depicting the unique culture of every era since ancient ages, art has also been influential in shaping up the course of the history. Art brings awareness to the people.
Art scores greatly, in its ability to present untold truths about humans in a very effective and unique way. Perhaps, these truths cannot be said in any other way. Art also proves instrumental in connecting people. Just go to an exhibition and you will find many people being able to relate to your thought about a particular artwork. That almost makes it a universal connection. If the idea conveyed by an artwork makes you take action, then the purpose of art is achieved. Now, would you agree to the potentially huge impact of art on humans? But before that, art must reach the public. The connoisseurs of art must be able to understand the true value of the art and get a drift of the idea contained by it.
One of the most beautiful things about art is that it can depict positive emotions like love, beauty, honor, and devotion as wonderfully as it can express fear, hatred, poverty and injustice. Both sides of the coin are equally meaningful. Both can have a profound impact on people. The viewers will always have a strong emotional response to the works of art. There have been countless instances of artworks helping in abolition of existing malice of society. Hope, this trend continues.
India has a rich and vast culture of handicrafts. The handicraft work in India has remained in existence since ancient times. One of the most appreciated handicraft types is of Coastal handicrafts. Thanks to India’s enormous coastal line, huge variety of handicrafts has flourished all along these coastal plains. The thing to be noted here is that, culture of coastal handicrafts is a not a new phenomenon. There is a rich tradition of coastal handicrafts that has been passed on from generation to generation. Coastal handicrafts are made using raw materials available at the shores and seas. Elements of modern aesthetics and sensibility have further helped in enhancing the beauty of coastal handicrafts. 
In our previous posts, we have shared about what Madhubani paintings are and where do they emerge from and what are the common themes in such paintings. Also, off late I have been reading a lot about Madhubani paintings and thought I too should try my hand at it too. To do a Madhubani painting here is all that you would need: 
Decide on a theme. Trace the design of Madhubani using a carbon sheet on the handmade paper. If you do not trace it well, then later while outlining the painting you may face trouble. In case you want to make changes, you can make improvements in designs. Draw the outline using the Madhubani pen, dipping the pen in black Indian ink and removing the excess ink and drawing thin outline on the entire painting, or using a black ball point pen and outlining the design. People who are comfortable can also use a 000 point brush. 
Working with a variety of mediums such as watercolours, oils, and pastels, Amitava has painted his thoughts yet camouflaging something which makes the spectator want to dig deeper in the canvas. 
Born in 1947 in Delhi, Amitava graduated from the Delhi College of Art. He experimented with a few styles of painting and sketching. What is remarkable is the fact that through all his paintings, there is one common striking quality that comes through – stress on background and the layers of colours laid on the surface through which the images emerge. Amitava feels that it is through details that he defines his space in the painting. His work is based on situations where man is both the creator and the destroyer. Amitava creates a world that is natural and man made at the same time. It is way he uses different elements to create an environment that intrigues the spectators. With keen observation and sympathetic approach, Amitava highlights the inner struggle of humans. Off late, his work portrays aggression as Amitava feels how man has been isolating himself in this materialistic world.