Manisha Jha

Recipient of the National Award in 2014, Manisha Jha was introduced to the traditional practice of Mithila painting at a very young age. Born into a family of artistic women in Raghopur, Bihar, she learnt the processes and techniques of Madhubani art from watching her mother and grandmother paint. With no formal training, Manisha acquainted herself with the artform through self-learning whilst studying for her professional degrees in architecture. Her passion and skills in Madhubani painting took full form from 1998 onwards, when she launched her art career with an exhibition sponsored by the India International Centre, New Delhi.

Alongside her fruitful career in painting and architecture, Manisha also founded a training and cultural preservation centre in New Delhi known as the Madhubani Art Centre. The artist lives and works in New Delhi.