Ang Desh

बिषहरी पूजा (Bishahri Puja / Bihula)

Every August, Bhagalpur and its adjoining areas start gearing up for Bishahri Puja, a ritual observed only in eastern parts of Bihar with the sole exceptions being certain parts of West Bengal and Assam. The ceremony not only has an interesting myth attached to it, but also nurses the magnificent manjusha art within its fold which is considered on par with other folk arts of Bihar like Madhubani paintings of Mithilanchal and Jadopetiya of the Santhal Parganas. Pandaals are decorated for the purpose and women sing folk songs in the local dialect highlighting the story and importance of Bishahari puja a month before. The Bishahari puja commences on "Singh Nashatra" in the month of "Bhadra" which according to the Hindi calender falls on 16th or 17th of August every year. The main aim of this puja is to please the Goddess Bishahari so as to prevent people from the wrath of snakes. Requisite accoutrements for observing the puja include temple shaped boxes called Manjushas in which…

लोक नाटक (Folk Drama)

Folk Drama always had a place in the Ang Culture. Examples of this can be found in the ram-lilas enacted at various times in the year and also episodes from the epic Mahabharta. Also, during the marraige season, light hearted performances of "netuas" can be seen. "Bahurupiyas" can also be found performing in villages and on city streets.

खेती-बाड़ी (Cultivation)

शिल्प कला (Sculpture)

Ang - Pradesh has its usual assortment of rural handicrafts of hand painted wall hangings, wooden stools, miniatures in paper and leaves, stone pottery,bamboo and leather goods and appliquÃ© work. The ancient designs in bright colours can still be seen on the mud walls in the districts of Saharsa, Munghyr, Begusarai, Purnea, & Bhagalpur. Bikramsila epitomise the art of sculptures. Different temples, stupas, vihars and residential accommodations of the monks exemplify the architectural designs and constructional superiority. The uniqueness of the Pal Age architecture lies in its use of bricks in construction. The residual portion of the temple and the stupas of Bikramsila Mahavihar (Bhgalapur) not only signals the socio-religious life of the age but also the superior craftsmanship in brick, stone and earth. The Art found in Sultanganj was much influenced by the Mathura style. Ang - Pradesh has its usual assortment of rural handicrafts of hand painted wall hangings, wo…

मुखौटा (Mask Making)

The mask is an essential part of the dances in Ang-Pradesh. The mask mirrors the emotions expressed in the dance. These were originally made of wood, then of pumpkin shells and today they are made of paper.

चटाई (Tapper Mats / Chatayee)

Tapper is like jute, made from the sun hemp plant / khajoor leaves. The fiber, which is extracted, is spun into yarn and used for making tapper. Tapper is more durable than jute fiber.

तस्सर सिल्क (Tassar Silk)

Silk forms the base of Bhagalpur economy. The artisans at and around Bhagalpur are traditionally silk fabric weaver since few hundred years."Bhagalpur Silk", also known as Tassar Silk, the Queen of textiles Has a place of distinction and pride in world. Bhagalpur was once famous for its "Malmal" fabrics before British came here and destroy malmal industy.

अंगदेश के खान-पान (Cuisines of Ang Desh)

By and large, people of Ang- Pradesh are vegetarians.Lying on the border of West Bengal, the cuisine here is influenced by both states. Chitba & Pitthow are baked items prepared from rice flour. Chura is pressed rice . The pressed rice is washed and mixed with curds sugar or Jaggery making it an instant health food. This is particularly suited to the climate in Ang - Pradesh. Sattu is powdered gram. Sattu is mixed with water and salt,made into dough and eaten with green chillies and onion. This dish is full of protein. These do not need cooking and hence ave fuel. Another special dish of Ang-Pradesh is the Littis - a circular mound of wheat dough, baked on a girdle or oven. Littis are stuffed with a mixture of roasted sattu, onion, ginger, green chillies, kalonji and ajwain (carom seeds). A variation of the Littis is the Makoni. Khichidi â€“made from dal and rice eaten with alu bharta (boiled and mashed potato sautÃ©ed with spices and onions) or baigan bharta (roasted …

मिट्टी के खिलौने (Clay Toys)

The clay toys of Ang-Pradesh are like replicas of excavated Mauryan pieces. The making of clay toys is seasonal and is associated with religious festivals. There are special toys made for different festivals. An exceptionally decorated elephant with clay ornaments on its head and a big bowl on its back is kept on the roof of the house where a marriage is taking place.

बाँस के सामान (Bamboo Work)

Bamboo is put to use for a variety of purposes in Bihar. In fact an entire house can be decorated using bamboo. Furniture, lamps, tableware, travel kit â€“ almost anything - is made from Bamboo. The artisans of Ang- Pradesh have been very skilful in creatings articles from local materials. Baskets, cups and saucers made from bamboo-strips or cane reed are painted in vivid colors are common articles found in the home of Ang- Pradesh.

पौती (Pauti)

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" (vermillion), namely, the "sinhora", this is a precious gift that she treasures for her entire life. In the picture on the right, the "pauti' with its lid partly open occupies the center.

सिक्की घास के सामान (Sikki Grass Articles / Sikki Arts)

The sikki is a type of grass that is connected with important ceremonies and rituals. Sikki is wired and stitched together with the pasikki, dyed in several different shades, using a thick needle called takua. Boxes made of Sikki are used for various purposes. A special container woven out of sikki grass, the pauti, is a sentimental gift that accompanies the bride when she leaves her home after her wedding. Indeed, for the bride, next to the wooden container for sindoor (sinhora), is a precious gift that she treasures for her entire life.

सुल्तानगंज बुद्ध, सुलतानगंज(Sultanganj Buddha) – Sultanganj

The Sultanganj Buddha is 2.3m high and 1m at its widest point and weighs about 500kgs. It was cast by the technique known as the 'lost wax' process, in which a solid core of clay is overlaid with wax. The sculptor models the fine details in the wax coating. The wax is covered with a liquid layering of clay and plaster which hardens to form a mould. When heat is applied the wax melts and molten metal is poured in. The finished statue is finally obtained by removing the outer casting when cool. The Sultanganj Buddha conveys an image of calm and tranquillity and a spiritual detachment from the material orld . The Buddha's sangathi (monastic robe) clings so closely to the body that it is almost invisible, but for a series of string-like folds, giving the figure a wet-looking appearance. The right hand is raised in abhayamudra (a gesture of reassurance or protection) while the left hand, with palm outward and held downwards indicates the granting of a favor. The Sultanganj Buddha …

मञ्जूषा कला (Manjusha Art)

Manjusha

Manjushas are temple-shaped boxes, made of bamboo, jute straw and paper. According to legend, Manjusha art traces its origin to the Bihula-Vishahri or Mansha folktale, popular in erstwhile Anga Pradesh and found also in an altered form in West Bengal. The paintings are drawn primarily on the occasion of the Bishari puja, celebrated usually in August to propitiate the snake gods. As Bihula's boat was decorated by a character called Lahsan Mali, this art has been confined to the Mali or gardener caste. Like Madhubani, Manjusha too is pictorial reflections of folklore, poetry and the larger cultural consciousness of the region.

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