Anga( modern day Bhagalpur) is the origin place of traditional Indian folk art manjushas. Manjusha art is an ancient and historically momentous art form considered on par with madhubani art. Manjusha art or manjusha Kala is often referred to as snake painting as swirling snakes in the artist depict the centeral character Bihula’s tale of love and sacrifice.
History
According to basic historian, this art has influence from Indus Valley civilization. A recent study reflects an ancient Anga jmahajanupada. Despite the story of ‘BihulaBishari', the art is originated in the state capital of Champagne. Which is currently know as Bhagalpur Bihar.
Based on old wives tale, Bihula traveled to heaven to save her husband from the wrath of deity and a snake bite .
Descriptions.
In olden days kumbhakar and Malabar only two families carved this art. Kumbhakar make this art form on the pots which were used for holy purpose, which malakar made manjusha and painted manjusha art on these structure.
There is an interesting story behind this manjusha art, because the name ‘manjusha’is referred as bamboo box in Sanskrit. People used to put the material items in it.
There are three traditionally colors in the Manjusha painting each represent some significant, pink color is for care, Victory, relation; Green is for nature and health, financial business; yellow is for joy, youth, fun, happy feelings, confidence, boost enthusiasm, and optimism.
Borders are also important for in the manjusha art. Each art must have one or more borders.
Process of creating manjusha art.
For the painting first an outline is drawn and then colours are filled. The outline traditionally drawn in green, but nowadays black color is used instead, while instruments like rulers, and other is forbidden traditionally. But, with new age painting little perfection is used in the painting.
While apart from folklore now artists have started using other motifs and characters for composing painting with the experiment of different shade of colors. In painting most of the motifs shows some or the other form of nature.
Religious importance
Every year on August 17th and 18th the festival of Visitation is solemnize. Two things should be made during Pooja. One is ‘kalash' made by the kumbhakar and manjushas by malakars.
One and all is decorated with the art of majusha which despite this stories and are immersed in the lake at the end of festival.
They workship Bisahari and Bihula as per their believe they will get strength and protection with the blessings from her and also to pray for the long life of their husbands
There is also a recital that groom before getting married, entered in a small house, where in four corners of house or room there is a painting of Bishari and groom has to put sindoor on Bishari and then only allow to go to mandala.
The married to Bishahar first and thus pleases her. The figures also called ‘nainajogini’.
Reviving majusha art since 2006
In 2006 NABARD and DISHA GRAMIN VIKASH MANCH jointly taken the steps to regenerate this folk art.
The organization trained almost 2000 rural women, out of them 250 were choose to create the majusha art work on large scale like pen stand, flower stand, folders and ornaments.
DISHA organized majusha craft exhibition in Naugachhia in June 2012. The government after visiting the exhibition included in the government projects which gives them a bust.
The Bihar government is putting lots of effort to revive this craft. They are planning to patent manjusha it as a Bhagalpur folk art.
Conclusion
Manjusha art is now blooming as one of the dominant folk art more then being just in old days were done for religious purpose only.
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