ARTS & CULTURE - OUR HERITAGE
MADHUBANI PAINTINGS
Madhubani art native to the region of Mithilanchal (bordering Nepal) is a creative folk painting done traditionally by women.
The paintings show symbolic motifs, the religious Gods and Goddesses such as Durga, Radha, and Krishna, Shiva and Parvati. Natural colors are used on walls, depicting animals such as elephants, fishes, parrots, the sun and moon and giant flowers. The pigments are taken from spices, minerals, charcoal, vegetable matter, flowers and plants depicting special events and aspects of everyday life.
BHAGALPUR SILK SAREE
Bhagalpuri silk sarees are from Bhagalpur region in Bihar. These are woven from the silk threads of a special type of cocoon, called the tusser cocoons. The Tusser Silk weaving industry in Bhalgalpur is century old and employs hundreds of skilled craftsmen. These sarees are dyed using natural and eco-friendly vegetable dyes which sets them apart from other art silk sarees.
Bhalagalpur Silk Sarees are a favorite among women in India as it offers a wide variety of colors and patterns with the authenticity of best of handcrafted silk.
SUJANI EMBROIDERY
Sujani (or Sujini) is one of the most popular forms of conventional art and craft prevailing in Bihar. It is a traditional quilt made in the rural areas of that state. The art has been preserved in the remote villages by the women who prepare articles of great aesthetic value, primarily meant for household use. Created with the simplest of stitches, with readily available fabrics and at times with well-worn pieces of clothes.
Today production of Sujini embroidery is done mainly in about 15 villages adjoining village named Bhusura in Ghaighatti block of Muzaffarpur district in Bihar and also in some pockets of Madhubani.
MANJUSHA KALA
Manjusha is an ancient Indian art form originating from the eastern region of Ang in the current state of Bihar. The art form is particularly interesting as it depicts stories and can be considered as a good reflection of the ancient history of the Ang Mahajanapada ("Ang the Great Kingdom").
Manjusha Kala also has religious significance as it is used during Bisharari Puja, a festival dedicated to the Snake God, in Bhagalpur and nearby regions of Bihar.
STONECRAFT
Bihar has rich legacy of handicrafts and stone craft .It is visible and alive from the ancient pillars of the Mauryan period.
Patharkatti in Gaya district is the traditional stoneware centre in Bihar. This area supplies in abundance the blue black pot stone from which artisans craft Buddhist icons, images and household articles like the pestle, the mortar kharal (medicine grinder)
LAHTI (LAC) BANGLES
Bangle making of Bihar is largely centered around the region of Muzaffarpur. It is a very lucrative small scale industry of the region. The artisans involved in bangle making collect their raw material from the nearby forests, mainly lac and the natural colors used in the making of these colorful roundels. Bright and brilliant colors are typically used in bangles. They range from vermilion to bright yellow, from resplendent reds and purples to shining golds.
The artisans from Muzaffarpur specialize in the making of a special kind of bangles called the "lahathi".