Bihar is a beautiful state. The handmade artefacts of Bihar are equally amazing. You can bring back these handmade artefacts as a souvenir of your Bihar trip. Whether it is beautiful paintings or intricately carved glass art or terracotta sculptures, the options are plentiful. In fact, each of the handmade artefacts of Bihar that I have mentioned here represents a particular region or aspect of Bihar.
Once you know about them, you will also agree with me that these handmade artefacts can be the best souvenirs of Bihar.
Best Handicrafts and Souvenirs of Bihar
madhubani painting
If Bihar can be best introduced by anything, it is Madhubani painting. It would not be an exaggeration to say that this handicraft represents Bihar. Those of you readers who have visited Delhi Haat must have bought this folk painting from there. I have published a detailed edition on this famous Madhubani painting of Mithila region of Bihar and its subtlety and intricacy. Do read it.
Manjusha art style
Those who are unaware of the intricacies of painting may not be able to differentiate between Madhubani style of painting and Manjusha style of painting at first sight. This style of painting originated from the eastern region of Bihar, i.e. Bhagalpur region. The stories depicted in these paintings are based on the saga of Bihula Vishhari who faced many obstacles to protect her family.
Only three colours are used in Manjusha artworks: red, green and yellow. The borders and the figures painted on them have special importance in these paintings. I have seen various types of Manjusha paintings on which mainly Mansa Devi and Naga stories have been depicted.
Tikuli style of painting
The bindi that Indian women wear on their forehead is also called tikli or tikuli in this region. In the 19th century, glass tiklis were made in Patna on which a layer of gold was applied. Then various figures were carved on it with sharp tools. These figures were of different flowers. Images of gods and goddesses were also carved on these tiklis. We can only imagine how royal and grand such tiklis must have looked!
The modern form of this tikuli has changed a bit. Now they are made by painting artificial colours on circular pieces of wood or laminated wood. Their size is also relatively bigger. Now they are no longer a bindi to be worn on the forehead, but have been transformed into a display art. In some form or the other, this art style is still alive. Now golden figures on a black background are very popular.
Sujni art
This art has its origins in the feeling when mothers make soft blankets etc. for their newborn babies from their old saris so that the baby does not have any kind of pain. They stitch thick blankets by placing pieces of old soft saris one above the other. On it, they make various shapes with small pieces of cloth. Those who have special skill in art, make such shapes from these pieces which depict folk tales.
At first glance, this art appeared to me to be an appliqué style. Perhaps they are art styles inspired by each other. At present, this art style has entered the commercial field. For this, Sujni art is now being done on new clothes. Various designs are made on them which include geometric designs, floral designs and popular scenes from epics like Ramayana.
Sujani art is mainly prevalent in Danapur, Bhojpur and Muzaffarpur areas of Bihar.
paper mache art pieces
Making art works from paper pulp is a popular art form. For this, paper is soaked in water till it becomes soft. Fennel seeds are also soaked along with it. Then, its soft pulp is prepared by grinding it with gum and Multani mitti. Various art works are made from this pulp.
Statues, toys, baskets, boxes etc. are made from paper pulp. They are made attractive by painting them with various colours. Home items such as baskets, soup etc. are also made from paper pulp.
In the Bihar Museum, I saw a unique but attractive statue made from paper pulp. It was a human-shaped statue of Matrika. In many villages here, similar human-shaped and beautiful statues are made which are used in various religious rituals. The most surprising fact is that the soft pulp is given such a beautiful shape by hand. Various dimensions of the statue are carved finely. These statues captivate the mind.
Venu crafts or bamboo artefacts
Bamboo is called Venu in Sanskrit. You will remember that Shri Krishna is also called Venugopal because his flute is made of bamboo. Bamboo has been used to store food and water in Bihar since ancient times. Various written sources from the Buddhist period mention that Buddhist monks used to make different things using bamboo, such as hand fans, shoes, etc. Human figures are also made using bamboo.
Even today bamboo is used extensively. It is used to make home decor items, winnowing baskets, boxes etc. Skilled artists in Bihar use bamboo to create very attractive art pieces that you would definitely want to buy. Some of them are, detailed models of boats or ships, complete temples that can be kept inside the house.
Bavan Booty
Bawan Buti is the indigenous weaving technique of Bihar. This weaving technique is basically prevalent in Basavan Bigha village located near Nalanda. It is said that the weavers here can weave fifty-two different types of motifs on sarees, sheets or curtains. They also display the local architectural style and its dimensions on these fabrics through various shapes.
Sikki Art
The local grass that grows in Bihar is called Sikki or Kush. This grass has a beautiful golden hue. This grass is cleaned and dried in sunlight. After drying, the grass is boiled in hot water. Then it is dyed in various colors, such as pink, blue, green, red, yellow etc. After that, the grass is given different shapes with the help of a needle. Toys, baskets, pedestals, Kush-asans, various items of home decoration etc. are made by weaving these colorful Kush together.
These are natural products. Due to proper treatment done on the coins, all the items made from them have a long life. Insects or fungi have no adverse effect on them. I have seen many such artifacts made from golden straws in Jajpur, Odisha.
Artefacts made of terracotta, shell and wood
These are ancient art styles that are still prevalent throughout India. So how can Bihar remain untouched by them! You can see artisans all over Bihar who create unique artworks using clay, rocks and pieces of wood.
I saw a vessel made of terracotta which had many holes in it. Nagakanyas were coming out of those holes. This is an ancient artwork which I had seen earlier in Nalanda Museum. Modern artisans of the present time have still kept this style and this artwork alive. They still make such artworks today.
Rock sculptures have been popular in Bihar for centuries. Didarganj Yakshi The most popular of them all.
It is said that in ancient times, Patna was surrounded by carved wooden walls on all sides. You can imagine how many wood carvers there must have been in Patna.
Upendra Maharathi Crafts Research Institute, Patna
This institute was started by Upendra Maharathi ji. This institute is engaged in the important task of reviving the art and craft styles of Bihar. They are doing a great job of adapting the ancient art styles to the modern background of the current scenario. They are incorporating new shapes, colors etc. in these styles and are creating new things through them. I visited their workshop. I had the good fortune of seeing them engrossed in their art, creating amazing artworks.
This institute also runs various courses related to different art styles, most of which are free. They provide every possible help to the students who are interested in learning about these traditional art forms of Bihar and making them a means of livelihood. This is an excellent way to carry forward our tradition from generation to generation.
Which of these amazing artworks from Bihar are your favourites?
