BIHAR CULTURE

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   Bihar follows a rich cultural . In the north, the predominant themes are from the myths and legends of Hinduism. The Hindu deities, Lord Rama and His consort Seeta; and Lord Shiva and His consort, Parvati, form the main theme of folk paintings. Lord Krishna and His consort, Radha, are not as common a theme as they are in the neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Also included, either under the guise of the Hindu deities as couples, or more overtly by paintings of man and woman as husband and wife, is the theme of procreation. These paintings frequently adorn the nuptial chamber, the kohbar, of a newly married couple on their wedding night. One of the art forms of Bihar, the Madhubani School of Painting, has lately received much attention and poularity.

         Mention must be made of the Patna School of Painting or the Patna Qalaam which sadly does not exist any more. This offshoot of the well-know Mughal Miniature School of Painting flourished in Bihar during early 18th to mid 20th century. The practitioners of this art form were descendants of Hindu artisans of Mughal painting who facing persecution from the Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb found refuge, via Murshidabad, in Patna during late 18th century.

         They settled in the eastern part of modern Patna, in Patna City, in areas of Lodikatra, the Chowk, Diwan Muhalla, and Machharhatti. They found patronage from th zamindars (landlords) and the British officials. They shared the characteristics of the Mughal painters, but unlike them (whose subjects included only royalty and court scenes), the Patna painters also started painting bazaar scenes.

It is this school of painting that formed the nucleus for the formation of the Patna Art School under the leadership of Shri Radha Mohan.  From a modest beginning in one single room on the Govind Mitra Road in Patna, it has  blossomed into the Government School of Arts and Crafts, currently housed in a large building near the Patna Museum.  Radha Mohan was a disciple of Shri Mahadev Lal (circa 1860-1942), the last Master of the Patna qalaam. Some examples can be found at the Gallery located in the School mentioned before.

         After lying in a moribund state for years, the Patna School of Arts and Crafts now is showing signs of life. Prof. Anunay Choubey, a renowned teacher of English in the Patna University, the author of an authoritative dissertation on the American poet, Ezra Pound, and a gifted artist in his own rights, only recently (September 1999) has been named to head this intitution. And, we are delighted to report, he has accepted this responsibility. We wish Anunay Godspeed in this very important responsibility. Under his able leadership, we have no doubt, the former lustre will be restored to this august institution, and the traditions it represents will become vibrant again, in no time.

         This was not just an artistic expansion, but was indeed a shrewd move! It not only enriched the style of painting, but also brought commercial success among the common citizens including British officers and their wives.  It is, of course, not the purpose of this short narrative to give a detailed account of this lovely and distinct art form that flourished in Bihar for almost two centuries.

CRAFTS OR HANDICRAFTS
         The artisans of Bihar have been very skillful in creating articles using local materials. Baskets, cups and saucers made from bamboo-strips or cane reed are painted in vivid colors are commonly found in Bihari homes. A special container woven out of sikki grass in the north, the "pauti", is a sentimental gift that accompanies a bride when she leaves her home after her wedding. Indeed, for the bride, next to the wooden container for "sindoor", namely, the "sinhora", this is a precious gift  that she treasures for her entire life.

         The weavers of Bihar have been practising their trade for centuries. Among their products in common use are the cotton dhurries and curtains. They are produced by artisans in central Bihar, particularly in the Patna and Bihar-Sharif areas. 

         These colourful sheets, with motifs of Buddhist artifacts, pictures of birds, animals, and/or flowers, gently wafting in the air through doors and windows, blown by a cool summer breeze, used to be one of the most soothing sights as one approached a home or an office! [Two examples are represented here. For an enlarged view, please click on the picture.]

         Woollen carpets are woven in the Obra area of Aurangabad district. The weavers of the north, particularly in the Madhubani and Darbhanga area, under the influence of Gandhiji, beginning around 1917, after the succesful Champaran satyagraha,  started spinning cotton on their charkha and producing Khadi cloth by the "miles"! This practice continues. After independence the weavers were organized into Weavers Co-Operatives. Their product is sold through outlets of the Khadi Gramodyog Bhavan.

         Bhagalpur is well known for its seri-culture, manufacture of silk yarn and weaving them into lovely products.  This silk is of a distinct and special type. It is known as the tussah or tusser silk.