Manjusha Art

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Manjushas are an folk traditional Indian art form originated from ancient city of Anga (modern day Bhagalpur).^[1] They are temple-shaped boxes comprising eight pillars. They are made of bamboo, jute, and paper. They also contain paintings of Hindu gods and goddesses and other characters. These boxes are used in Bishahari puja, a festival dedicated to the Snake God that is celebrated in Bhagalpur and nearby regions, India.^[1] Manjusha Art is an ancient and historically significant art form, considered on a par with Madhubani art. Manjusha Art or Manjusha Kala is often referred to as Snake Paintings by foreigners as swirling snakes in the artist depict the central character Bihula's tale of love and sacrifice.^[2]

Origin[edit]

“Manjusha Art” is the heritage of Anga. According to Vedic historians, this art is has influence from Indus-Valley civilization. A recent study on Manjusha Art ^[3] provides an excellent example of how this art reflects the history of ancient Anga Mahajanapada. Manjusha Painting depics story of ‘BihulaBishari’. This art originated in the state capital, Champa. Which is currently located in Bhagalpur Bihar. Based on folklore and folklore, Bihula traveled to heaven by water carrying the body of her famine, fictitious, serpent-bitten husband Bala-Lakhendra in a multi-story boat NumaManjusha built by DevShilpiVishwakarma, and returned her dead husband alive and called Sati.^[4] This incident is the story of Shiva’s human daughter Mansha, Chandra Saudagar and Bihula’s rituals, struggle in the Anga region.

Manjushas Painting[edit]

In this painting, a thick line is used and the hair is shown not with lines but with colors. There is a tradition of showing the five sisters of the poisonous together in a snake-form. Where the character has to show domination, the hair is kept open.The pictures depict Bihula with her open hairstyle and a portrait of Manjusha or Nag in front of it, while the drawing of Mansa depicts the nectar Kalash in the right hand of the goddess and the picture of Nag in the left hand. Embellishments are predominant in women’s clothes. Pink, yellow and green colors are mainly used in painting. In some cases, the common auxiliary colors associated with these three colors, such as green and orange, are also used. Black color is used in the human shape to bring out the snake-venom. These colors have esoteric and symbolic meanings.The pink and yellow colors signify excitement and exuberance, while green is a symbol of gloom and growth. The traditional artist of Manjushapainting, Chakravarti Devi used natural colors. But now posters, water, oil and ‘acrylic color’ are being used.

Manjushas Craft[edit]

File:Manjusha.jpg

Manjusha Box used in Snake Festival

Dolls
Sculpture
Accesseries

Characteristic[edit]

Three colors are used in Manjusha Art
In Manjusha Art Borders are very Important.
Manjusha Art is a Line drawing Art.
Manjusha Art is a Folk Art.
Manjusha Art is a Scroll Painting.
Manjusha Art is completely based on the folklore of Bihula-Bishari.
In Manjusha Art Characters are displayed as X letter of English Alphabets.
Major Motifs of Manjusha Art – Snake, Champa Flower, Sun, Moon, Elephant, Turtle, Fish, Maina Bird, Kamal Flower, Kalash Pot, Arrow Bow, ShivLing, Tree etc.
Major Characters of Manjusha Art – Lord Shiva, Mansa DeVi (Bishari), Bihula, Bala, Hanuman, Chandu Saudagar
Borders in Manjusha Art – Belpatr, Lehariya, Triangle, Mokha and series of Snakes.

Artists, awards, festival[edit]

First time in 2012, Late Chakravarty Devi awarded with SITA DEVI AWARD in the field of Manjusha Art.
In 2013, Shrimati Nirmala Devi awarded with Bihar Kala Award "SITA DEVI AWARD".
In the field of Manjusha Art, First State Award given to Shri Manoj Pandit for his work towards revival of indigenous art form "Manjusha Art". This award is given by Upendra Maharathi Shilp Anusandhan Sansthan & Dept. of Industries, Bihar.
On Recommendation of Art, culture and youth affairs department, Bihar; Ministry of Culture (Sanskriti Mantralaya) awarded ‘Manjusha Kala Guru Award’ to Shri Manoj Pandit in 2014.
In 2016 - Ulupi Jha is one of the 100 successful women across the country selected by the Union ministry of women and child development on the basis of online voting for her Manjusha painting.

References[edit]

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 "A Story Beyond Three Colours – N.A.P.S. | BIT Mesra". Retrieved 7 May 2021.
↑ "The Internationally recognized famous Indian Art related to Ang region". Archived from the original on 5 March 2006. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
↑ Sinha, Rajiva Kumar; Pandey, O.P. Manjusha Art: Reflections in Folk-Lore, Trade, and Regional History. Delhi: Shivalik Prakashan. OCLC 811492081.
↑ "Branding Bihar | Manjusha Art". brandingbihar.com. Retrieved 7 May 2021.

External links[edit]

Manjushakala.in - Initiative for promotion of Manjusha Art
https://artsofindia.in/usa/indian-arts-paintings/manjusha-art.html

[:0-1] 1.0 ^1.1 "A Story Beyond Three Colours – N.A.P.S. | BIT Mesra". Retrieved 7 May 2021.

[2] "The Internationally recognized famous Indian Art related to Ang region". Archived from the original on 5 March 2006. Retrieved 25 June 2010.

[3] Sinha, Rajiva Kumar; Pandey, O.P. Manjusha Art: Reflections in Folk-Lore, Trade, and Regional History. Delhi: Shivalik Prakashan. OCLC 811492081.

[4] "Branding Bihar | Manjusha Art". brandingbihar.com. Retrieved 7 May 2021.

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