Shades of orange, yellow, red and blue welcome the capital along with the rich art and artisans of Bihar at the gate. From Madhubani and Maithili to Tikuli, Delhiites are reveling in everything peculiar to the eastern Indian state during the ongoing Bihar Utsav 2023.
Among the 120 stalls where artisans, rural weavers and artisans showcase their intricately designed handicrafts and handloom works, the exhibits include sarees, suit pieces, handkerchiefs, bags and much more. Madhubani’s fine lines have also found their way into hand-painted papier-mâché lamps, plates, cups and bowls. Giving finishing touches to some of the 56 stalls, Renuka Devi, an artisan from Madhubani (Bihar district), says, “Maine Bachpan se apni ma Padmashri Subhadra Devi ka saath hai kala mein. Be it exhibition or customized order, I will help her with everything and tag her everywhere.
Devi hails from a family that has been hand-painting Madhubani art on paper mache since the 1970s. “Madhubani paper-mache ka work like mano ab khoon mein hai hamare. Bachpan me saath me bainte aur bechche. Now my daughter is also searching aur aur saath hamara hai,” adds Devi.
When it comes to Madhubani art, the joy of wearing it is another experience. “Madhubani hoti he prakriti ke lieye hai. Ismen fish, kachua, peacock, ye sab bane jate hain. I have also made Durga in a saree and Gopis in a dupatta, Krishna ji. Both are favorites among buyers,” said a national from Darbhanga (a city in Bihar). Award winning artisan Asha Jha says. Jha has depicted Madhubani and Maithili art not only on sarees and dupattas, but also diaries, bookmarks and bags on display at 47 stalls. She says, “Our pass ₹100’s of bookmarks ₹14,000 is a saree. So no one will leave our stall empty-handed.”
At Stall 57, Nalanda-based artisan, Padmashri Kapildev Prasad stood tall, displaying his flawless work on fifty-two hand-woven booties. “I have been doing the work of Bawan Buti for the last 55 years. It is such a kala in which the fabric may be any, tussar or cotton, but it takes 52 stitches (stitches) to make a motif or booti. This is the specialty of this art,’ says Prasad, who will leave visitors mesmerized by his art.
Amidst the hustle and bustle, Isha Roy, a Delhi-based entrepreneur, couldn’t stop herself from dabbling in these arts. “Finding authentic artefacts and handlooms from the state at such reasonable prices is impossible anywhere else. I bought a Madhubani print kurta and two half jackets for myself ₹800 and ₹1,150. I just saw these and fell in love with them at first sight. The vibrant colors and fabrics are just wow,” adds Roy.
The program will also celebrate the Bihar Foundation Day from March 21 to 23 with a cultural evening featuring folk art and music. Ecosystem of the country; Keeping in mind their handicrafts and handloom practices that they have learned over the years,” says Dilip Kumar, Special Secretary, Industries Department, Government of Bihar.
Catch it live
What: Bihar Utsav 2023
Where: Dilli Haat, INA
On: By March 31
Timings: 11 am to 8 pm
Nearest Metro Station: Dilli Haat INA on Yellow Line and Pink Line
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