https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Biharika: Promoting the Art & Craft of Bihar

Resident Commissioner of Bihar Bhawan Palka Sahni has taken an initiative to promote the various art and craft of Bihar. A mini emporium has been opened for artisans in Bihar Niwas where they can showcase and sell their products. The profit is going directly to the artisans as no middlemen are involved in the entire process.
Indian Masterminds Stories

The resident commissioner of Bihar Bhawan in Delhi, Ms. Palka Sahni, has taken an initiative to showcase the traditional art and craft of Bihar on the national as well as international fora by starting ‘Biharika: Bihar ki Kala Dehri’ in Bihar Niwas (Delhi). Under this initiative, she has provided space for the artisans to display and sell their art and craft. This has come at the right time as a life-saver for them as they were struggling due to the impact on economic activities because of the pandemic and the lockdowns.

BEYOND MADHUBANI PAINTING

Whenever we think of the arts of Bihar, the immediate thing that comes to mind is Mithila or Madhubani Painting. However, the state has many other art forms to offer which have similar historical significance. Talking about it, Resident Commissioner, Bihar Bhawan, Ms.Sahni said, “We have Manjusa art which is made by using only three colours – green, yellow and red. The details made are very beautiful and intricate. An artist from Bhagalpur Manoj Pandit is called the ‘Father of Manjusa Art’ and has been recognized on national and international platforms. However, the art doesn’t have the same appeal among wider audience due to lack of promotion. Similarly, there are 52 motifs (Booti Saree) from Nalanda, Sujni (Sheets made from used Clothes), Sikki (Golden grass from which several utilitarian items are made and the paper mache art.”

Biharika is filled with products based on most popular arts from Bihar

MAKING IT ECONOMICALLY SUSTAINABLE

The initiative is ongoing from last one and a half year. It all started in the wake of Covid-19. Many artists were suffering because of lockdown. Now that everything is opening up and exhibitions are taking place, Ms. Sahni came up with the idea that instead of limiting it to seminar, webinar or exhibition, they should promote the arts of Bihar in a way that is economically sustainable for the artisans.

Talking about the initiative Ms. Sahni said, “The state is traditionally known for the Madhubani art or Mithila Paintings to the world, and we are trying to connect local artists from various districts of Bihar so that art from Bihar, including Madhubani, Manjusha, Sikki, Sujini, etc. which are a part of the lifestyle of the people there but are not very well known outside Bihar, could come into people’s knowledge and receive the praise that they deserve. In the last two years, we have catalogued more than 200 artists from Bihar. Many Delhi-based artisans from Bihar have also been invited to send their artefacts to Biharika.”

“In last one and half year, artist from various districts have been contacted through video conference, calls and zoom. We also talked to them about their demands, the crisis they were facing and how do they see their art and craft in the field of market. Then, a database of more than 200 artists was created which included the information about their work, their contact details, etc.,” said Mr. Sahni.

The Resident Commissioner, Ms. Sahni, is also in touch with various artists. She knew they need promotion as well as a place to sell their products and that is why the mini emporium was set up in Bihar Niwas. To attract the customers, the team at Bihar Bhawan is promoting the emporium through various ways, including social media, websites and newspapers. The small store has been started on the exit gate of Bihar Niwas to attract the people coming to the famous Pot Belly restaurant famous for Bihar Cuisine.

“Culinary history can’t be separated from the history of culture in general’. Taking a leaf out of this expression, the exhibition will witness the fusion of food and art as the visitors will get to relish scores of popular cuisines from Bihar at The Potbelly restaurant at Bihar Niwas. She further added, “Potbelly has already been holding the flag high in terms of Bihari cuisine. Now people will get more reasons to come to Bihar Niwas after Biharika’s inauguration”, added Ms Sahni

The initiative is already reaching to a wider audience, as apart from art, various food items including Katarni Chura (flattened rice), Makhana and Sattu are also kept in Biharika which is in popular demand for the Bihari people living in Delhi NCR and nearby areas.

Ms. Sahni wants to promote the Bihari art & culture on international platform

There is a plan to introduce these artisans on online platform also. “Bihar is very rich in culture and heritage. We just want to create awareness among people as to what Bihar has to offer. There are various arts that have not got too much attention and acceptance among the art lovers. So, we just want to attract them to Biharika. If we are successful in getting people to visit us, we can expand this initiative and make it more economically viable for the artisans,” the Resident Commissioner of Bihar Bhavan said.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
SJVN
Leadership Continuity: Rajendra Prasad Goyal Given Additional Charge as Director (Finance) of SJVN Ltd- Know more about Him
government-of-haryana
Haryana Government Transfers 2 IPS, 13 HPS Officers in Major Police Reshuffle- Check Details
scam
‘Hello, This is IPS Officer Speaking…’: 9th-Pass Youth Tricks Cops in Three States with Fake Voice Scam
Screenshot 2025-07-18 214334
L&T Chairman Mr. S.N. Subrahmanyan’s FY25 Remuneration Jumps Nearly 50% to Rs. 76.25 Crore!
bureaucracy news
Appointments Update: IRS Kommisetty Murlidhar to Join Andhra Govt; Jay Nath Yadav Inducted into IAS
Indian Overseas Bank (IOB)
Indian Overseas Bank Plans Rs. 4,000 Crore Fundraising via QIP; Net Profit Soars 76% in Q1 FY26
Paresh Saxena IPS
IPS Officer Dr Paresh Saxena Protests Empanelment Denial, Returns President’s Distinguished Service Medal
Screenshot 2025-07-18 212145
Chhattisgarh: CM Vishnu Deo Sai Unveils ‘Anjor Vision @ 2047’ - A Bold Roadmap for a Developed Future!
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
promila gupta
The Secret of The Secret – How To Make The Universe Conspire For You
AI 171 CRASH
AAIB Initial Probe In AI-171 Crash Questioned By Aviation Experts
Ravi Kapoor
Why Ex-IRS Officer Ravi Kapoor Walked Away from Power
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Bhavesh Royada
“People often don’t put in the effort required for exams of this level,” Bhavesh Royada
Bhavesh Royada left a stable engineering job to follow his passion for nature. Overcoming failures and...
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-14 at 15.58
The Economist Who Became an IFS Officer
How Abhimanyu Gahlaut balanced global economics and civil services dreams to crack UPSC with AIR 38
Disha Dwivedi UPSC
How Disha Dwivedi Cracked UPSC in Her Sixth Attempt with Unshakable Determination
Disha Dwivedi’s UPSC journey from five prelims failures to securing AIR 672 in 2024 showcases strategic...
Social Media
Screenshot 2025-07-18 203508
Majestic Tiger Rescue and Release in Sundarbans Captivates the Internet: IFS Susanta Nanda Shares Video On X
The video captures the tiger’s strength, agility, and instinct—a breathtaking sight as the big cat slices...
Standing Leopard
Leopard Stuns Internet by Standing on Two Legs Like a Meerkat
A rare video of a leopard standing on two legs in Kruger Park stuns viewers and goes viral across social...
G S Roshni
Kerala’s Fearless Forest Officer G.S. Roshni Rescues 16-Foot King Cobra with Bare Hands, Garners Praise & Critique
Beat Forest Officer G.S. Roshni’s first-ever king cobra rescue goes viral, earning her the title of ‘Green...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
SJVN
Leadership Continuity: Rajendra Prasad Goyal Given Additional Charge as Director (Finance) of SJVN Ltd- Know more about Him
government-of-haryana
Haryana Government Transfers 2 IPS, 13 HPS Officers in Major Police Reshuffle- Check Details
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
promila gupta
AI 171 CRASH
Ravi Kapoor
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT