Art & Crafts of Bihar

Lacquerware

Almost all the boxes and bangles used by the people of Bihar have been the product of lac that is dominantly present here since time immemorial. The Laheris community makes the vermilion container, ‘Sindoordan’, using this very craft. Peacock, Chakra and fish are the prominent motifs found in the boxes. A round box conical in shape is presented to the bride by her parents along with a nose ring that has the symbols of longevity and fertility etched on its body that is red in colour.

Madhubani Paintings

The Mithilanchal region is famous for its Madhubani art, a folk painting that pours creativity from its inner depths. This painting, traditionally done by the womenfolk, depict symbolic motifs, religious deities like Shiva, Parvati, Krishna, Radha, Durga, etc. The painting is done on the walls with natural colours, with the depiction of animals such as parrots, fishes, elephants, giant flowers and the moon and the sun. Vibrant red, yellow, green, ochre, black, brown, are the colours that the paintings are generally done in. Minerals, vegetable matter, plants, flowers, charcoal and spices are the sources of the variant and the vivid colours used in the paintings which depict both special events of the lives of the people and day-to-day events. These paintings done with strong primary colours including black and white are produced on paper, textiles and canvas by professionals for the sake of national and international exhibitions.

Other Handicrafts

Among these fall the crafts like leather work, papier-mache art, tikuli making, etc. These exclusive forms of art have crossed the traditional boundaries and are being exhibited in national and international levels. These crafts include etching of beautiful objects in floral and traditional designs in bright hues. Papier-mache art materials encompass religious scenes and pictures of deities.

Printed Textiles

Textile printing done on wool, silk and cotton is yet another craft that Bihar is widely known for. Places like Bihar Sharif, Saran, Patna, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga are known for the excellence in this craft. Gaya is famous for religious textiles wherein one can find either the name or the footprints of gods and goddesses coloured in red or ochre. The chunris are yet another example of the textile printing which embrace elegant designs-traditional or floral and sometimes animal forms. Sursand is famous for the Mica ( Khari) printing which is done in bright colours.

Stonecraft

The ancient pillars that have been standing on this land since the Mauryan period bear testimony to the rich heritage of stone craft and handicraft of Bihar. Patharkatti in the district of Gaya, being the centre for traditional stoneware, is famous for the abundant supply of the pot stone blue black in colour. It is the same stone that is famous for the making of Buddhist icons, household articles such as the mortar kharal (another name for the medicine grinder), pestle and other images.

Sujini and Khatwa Embroidery

Sujini is the most popular form of conventional art and craft prevailing in Bihar. It is basically a quilt, widely in use in the rural areas, which is made with numerous layers of clothes. Old clothes find proper use in Sujini as they are used for the inner stuffing. The embroidery is done with colourful threads generally cotton in nature. A lively depiction of religious scenes and the village life like the dancing of the peacocks, boys flying kites and bride leaving her maternal home in a palanquin, etc. is done. The craft of canopies, decorative tents and shamianas are done with the Khatwa, the popular appliqué work in Bihar. Persian type trees, birds, animals, flowers, etc. are the common appliqué designs for tents. The canopies involve the cutting out of a single piece of cloth for the design applied to the circular central motif.

Wood Inlay

Wood inlays, one among the renowned and ancient industries of Bihar, are still being made by the artisans using various metal, materials, ivory, stag-horn, etc. It has been present almost in every household in the form of trays, table tops, wall hangings, along with innumerous utility articles. A number of household articles are being made using this craft such as boxes, trays, etc. Beautiful geometrical and colourful designs are carved in the craft.