Bihar is a beautiful state of India. This state is famous for its beautiful handicraft. Manjusha painting is a fabulous art from Bihar. Majusha is specially belongs to the Bhagalpur region of Bihar. In the ancient times Bhagalpur known as “Ang-pradesh” so Manjusha is also known as Angika art.
The word “Manjusha” comes from the Sanskrit which means a “ box”. In earlier times only two families makes this art, the Kumbhakar and the Malakar. But now these days many of the peoples make this painting .
There is a story behind of this art, which is connected with Bihula who saved her husband from the snake-bite, that why there is alot uses of snake and Manjusha also known as ‘snake painting’. Still now in Bihar, people use this painting on many religious and other rituals.
Three major colors are used in this painting- pink, green and yellow. These colors are represent significance hold, Pink for care, relation, victory, Green for nature &health, Yellow for young, happiness, fun and etc. But today some artists use black color for the outline.
After colors the borders plays an important role in the Manjusha painting. Five different kinds of the borders are used in Manjusha- Belpatr, Lehariya, Mokha, Tribhuj and Srp ki ladi. When the peoples started a painting for the religious purpose, first they prays for the ‘Goddesses’ to give them permission for start this painting.
After take the special sign from the Goddesses they start their painting for the religious purpose. In Manjusha painting the artists use letter ‘X’ to draw the human figures. The main characters are made with big eyes and without ears.
The major characters of the Manjusha paintings are Lord Shiva, Mansa Devi, Bihulla, Hanuman and the motifs are snake, flower, sun, moon, elephant, turtle, fish, tree and etc. Manjusha and Madhubani both are famous art from Bihar, but these are differenet from each other.
In Manjusha painting objects and painting area filled with colors on the other side in Mandhubani the objects and painting area filled with pattern, filling and compact desings. In Manjusha painting the motifs are mostly derived from the “Bihula-Bishhari” story, and in Madhubani painting motifs derived from the rituals and culture of Mithila region.
In the earlier times the artisans used the pens which made from bamboobut now these days this painting is also used in differnet types of clothes like sarees, salwar suit and etc. so the artisans use brush and paints to make this painting on the garments. Manjusha painting is a source of income for the many peoples.
But unfortunately, today this beautiful art facing many challenges. The artisans of this art are compelled to switching over from this art. Because they work hard but they don’t get profit according to their hard work.
Now its time to aware the peoples about this art, because these art and crafts are the unbreakable part of the culture of our country.
Written by: Dimple khokhar, Research scholar, RIMT University, Punjab & Dr. Sunil Goyal, Dean and Chairman, Board of studies, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, Mhow, M.P.