About Discover Mithila
Discover Mithila (Mithila Dharohar) is an online cultural enterprise and verified marketplace dedicated exclusively to the traditional arts, handlooms, and indigenous craft forms of the ancient Mithila region.
Founded in 2026, Discover Mithila was built to dismantle the predatory middleman economy in rural Bihar, where master women artists were traditionally paid pennies while third-party commercial distributors sold machine-printed replicas online at 10× markups. We connect collectors, institutions, and conscious homes directly with generational craftswomen across the Madhubani region.
Platform Fact Sheet
2026
Dedicated to authentic Mithila folk art.
Delhi & Bihar
New Delhi & Mithila Hub dual logistics route.
Growing Community
A collective of rural women artisans across 4 primary districts in Northern Bihar.
70%+ Allocation
Direct payments for painting creation, materials & community welfare.
Where Discover Mithila Operates
Unlike dropshipping entities or generic resellers, Discover Mithila manages an integrated physical presence across two dedicated operating hubs in India:
🏢 1. New Delhi Fulfillment Center
North & Pan-India HubCoordinates digital customer support, international shipping compliance, custom museum-grade framing, final packaging inspection, and express 3–5 day dispatches to Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, and NCR.
🎨 2. Mithila Heritage Hub & Sourcing Depot
Ground Zero Artisan HubLocated in Jhanjharpur / Madhubani, Bihar. Handles direct village cluster aggregation, raw handmade paper & mineral pigment distribution, photographic/video documentation, and regional dispatch across Bihar, Jharkhand, and Kolkata.
“Every piece originates from a family courtyard in Mithila, not an industrial printing press.”
Original artworks created freehand by generational women artisans using natural pigments in rural village courtyards across Madhubani.
Communities & Districts We Work With
Authentic Madhubani art is deeply localized. Different villages have spent centuries preserving specialized lineages, motifs, and pigments. We source directly from four primary districts in Bihar:
Bharni & Godna Heritage
The historical cradle of colored Bharni art and sacred tattoo-derived Godna paintings. Home to multi-generational Padma Shri lineages.
Kachni Fine-Line Tradition
Renowned globally for intricate monochrome and dual-tone line detailing, executed freehand with fine bamboo pens with zero initial pencil drafting.
Ceremonial Kohbar Art
Specializing in traditional bridal nuptial chamber art, depicting the sacred lotus, fertility fish, bamboo groves, and divine cosmic balance.
Paag, Sikki & Handlooms
Focusing on authentic ceremonial headwear (Paag), golden Sikki grass harvest baskets, and hand-painted Tussar silk dupattas and sarees.
How Artists Are Selected
- Direct Home Onboarding: We do not purchase inventory from wholesale curio traders or middlemen in urban markets. Every artisan relationship is initiated through direct home visits in their village.
- Matrilineal Guild Endorsement: New artisans are recommended and vetted by senior master craftswomen within established women’s collectives, ensuring deep adherence to cultural symbolism and authentic handcraft discipline.
- Dedication to Traditional Tools: Priority is given to artists practicing freehand drawing with natural bamboo nibs (sarkanda), fine hair brushes, and non-toxic archival pigments.
How Artists Are Compensated
- Upfront Material Advances: Artisans never finance raw materials from their household savings. Discover Mithila provides upfront capital for handmade paper, tussar silk, and framing supplies.
- 70%+ Revenue Allocation: A minimum of 70% of total product revenues is directed straight to artisan compensation, creation fees, and collective empowerment funds.
- Direct Bank / UPI Settlement: 100% of payments are transferred electronically to the individual female artist’s bank account or verified Self-Help Group (SHG) account, guaranteeing financial independence.
How We Assess & Verify Handmade Work
The biggest threat to authentic Mithila art today is commercial machine screen-printing and inkjet canvas prints disguised as "authentic handmade paintings." Discover Mithila enforces a four-stage verification protocol before any painting is listed or shipped:
Every artwork undergoes manual microscopic inspection. We examine ink absorption depth, organic line weight variations, and natural bamboo nib indentations. Screen prints and digital halftones are instantly rejected.
Every original painting is shipped with a physical stamped parchment certificate with a registered Passport ID (e.g. MD-AUTH-XXXX) citing the Lead Artist, Village, Tradition, and date of completion.
We document artisans actively creating pieces in their homes. You can watch unedited video footage of our master craftswomen hand-painting on our dedicated Artisans Work Archive.
We stand 100% behind the authenticity of every creation. If you are not satisfied, returns can be initiated within 7 days of delivery for eligible items in original, untouched condition with all heritage packaging intact. Custom commissions are non-refundable.
Physical Location & Customer Concierge
New Delhi Operations:
Fulfillment Center, New Delhi, India
Mithila Ground Operations:
Heritage Center, Jhanjharpur / Madhubani, Bihar, India
Operational Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM IST
Response Commitment:
WhatsApp: Under 2 Hours during business hours.
Email: Within 24 hours.