Anga (region)

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This article is about the historical and cultural region in India. For Mahajanapadas in India, see Anga Mahajanapada. For other uses, see Anga.
See also: Vikramashila, Manjusha Art, and Anga Mahajanapada
Anga
Cultural region
A View of the Fort of Mongheer, upon the banks of the River Ganges.jpg
Vikramshila 2012-08-10-17.14.08.jpg
ContinentAsia
CountriesIndia
StatesBihar and Jharkhand (India)
Regional Language(s) and/or dialect(s)Angika and several other dialects of Angika

Anga(IAST: Angā), also known as Ang Pradesh and Angika-Belt[1] and is a geographical and cultural region of the Indian subcontinent. The native language in is Angika[2][3]

The name Anga is commonly used to refer to the Anga Kingdom, as well as to the modern-day territories that fall within the ancient boundaries of Anga.[4]

Territory[edit]

The Territory of Anga or Angika-Speaking Belt[5] includes most of the Munger and Bhagalpur divisions and some south eastern parts of Purnia division in Bihar along with Santhal Pargana division of Jharkhand.[6][3] Its speakers number around 15 million people.[7] Outside the Anga region, it is also spoken in the Morang district of Nepalese Terai as a minority language. 1.9% people of Morang returned Angika as their mother tongue during the 2011 Nepal census.[8]

History[edit]

Main article: Anga Mahajanapada
See also: Karna

Anga was first mentioned in the Atharvaveda, where it was connected to the Gāndhārīs, Mūjavats, and Māgadhīs. The founder of Aṅga might have been the king Aṅga Vairocana, who is mentioned in the Aitareya Brāhmaṇa as a ruler who had been consecrated by the Aryan ritual of Aindra mahābhiśeka.

Vedic literature such as the Baudhāyana Dharmasūtra nevertheless listed the Āṅgeyas with peoples described as being of "mixed origin."

Aṅga was a powerful kingdom at the time of the Aitareya Brāhmaṇa, which mentions the "world conquest" of one of the Āṅgeya kings. The Āṅgeya capital of Campā itself was counted until the time of the Buddha's death among the six most prominent cities of northern India, along with Rājagaha, Sāvatthī, Sāketa, Kosāmbī, and Vārāṇasī.[9]

Mention in Ramayana and Mahabharata[edit]

According to the Mahabharata (I.104.53-54) and Puranic literature, Aṅga was named after Prince Anga, the founder of the kingdom, and the son of Vali, who had no sons. So, he requested the sage, Dirghatamas, to bless him with sons. The sage is said to have begotten five sons through his wife, the queen Sudesna.[10] The princes were named Aṅga, Vaṅga, Kaliṅga, Sumha and Pundra.[11]

The Ramayana (1.23.14) narrates the origin of name Aṅga as the place where Kamadeva was burnt to death by Siva and where his body parts (aṅgas) are scattered.[12]

Festival[edit]

Mansa Puja(Vishari Puja),the folk festival of Anga Region ,celebration in Deepnagar Chowk , Bhagalpur.

Festivals are the core part cultural part of the community. Anga celebrates the festivals of all daith with great enthusiasm and zeal. However, Manasa Puja[13] (Based on Behula Vishahari folklore) and Kali Puja are the two intangible cultural heritage of the region. Apart from these, Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja, Chhath Puja, Biswakarma Puja, Basanti Puja, Holi, Christmas, Guru Poornima and Eid too holds a great significance for the region.

  • Manasa Puja (Bihula-Vishari Puja)[14]

Manasa Puja is the folk festival In Bihar's Ang region. It is the biggest festival of Anga .Champapuri the capital of Ang Pradesh is the main temple of Maa Vishari. [15] Maa Manasa is regarded as Goddess of Serpants.[16] Even today, the tradition of Manasa (Bihula-Vishhari) Puja, which has been going on since mythological times, continues. Mata Mansa is worshiped in Bihula-Vishhari. Maa Mansa is said to be the daughter of Shiva and the sister of Vasuki sitting as a garland around Mahadev's neck. Mythological beliefs of Bihula Vishhari story of Champanagar of Ang Pradesh are spread everywhere. Its facts are also found in the remains of Vikramshila even two historical idols of Maa Manasa have been found from the ruins.[17]

  • Kali Puja

Anga is famous for the way of its Kali Puja Celebration which is one of the most celebrated festivals of the whole region.Together with Manasa Puja , it is intangible cultural heritage festival of Anga.[18]

  • Chhath Puja

As per Legends, Chhath Puja stems from the early Vedic period, where sages would fast for days and perform the puja with mantras from Rigveda. It is believed that Chhath Puja was also performed by Karna, the son of Lord Surya and the King of Anga . It is therfore celebrated in every region of Bihar with full enthusiasm and is termed as Mahaparv for Biharis.[19][20][21]

Chhath Celebration in Narayanpur, Bhagalpur

Culture[edit]

Angika Cuisine[edit]

Angika cuisine, predominantly consumed in the Anga region, is characterized by the use of mustard oil, fish, and bamboo shoots. The famous Bihari Fish Curry and Sarse Baingan (a mustard preparation of eggplant) are beloved Angika delicacies. Other Angika cuisines are Ghugni-Mudi , Thekua.[22]

Ghoogni
Bihari Style Ghughni which is served with Mudi
Sarsebaigan (a unique delicious spicy Angika Cuisine of Mustard and Eggplant)

Manjusha Art[23][edit]

Manjusha Art is an Indian art form. 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 Goddess Bishari that is celebrated in Bhagalpur , Munger and entire Anga Region of Bihar, India. [24][25] [26]

Manjusha Painting (Map of Bihar in the Manjusha Painting portraying a great message)

Music and Drama[edit]

Music and drama plays a crucial role in Ang Culture,[27] although it is not so famous but is a daily part of lifestyle in Anga Region.There is also a Music Industry and film industry Angika Music Industry and Angika Film Industry which provides regional music and films based on good story-lines.[28]Sharda Sinha ,a famous folk singer of Bihar has covered more than 1500 songs in all Bihari languages including Angika.[29]During The 2023 Shravani Mela visit in Sultanganj, Another Angika Folk-Singer Chhaila Bihari stated that he will fight for the rights of Angika folksingers who are not getting the respect and platform that they deserve.[30]Ang Mahotsav[31][32], a cultural festival of Music and Drama is held every year in The Anga Region.[33]

Language[edit]

Angika is the regional language of Anga Region and Anga is the linguistic region of this language.[34]

Non-Profit Organisations[edit]

There are several non-profit organisations in Anga Region for recognisation of Angika language and upliftment of Anga Region.

All India Level[edit]

  • Anga Utthan Andolan Samiti[35]

Bihar & Jharkhand Level[edit]


References[edit]

  1. ↑ Pandey, Mithila Sharan (1963). The Historical Geography and Topography of Bihar. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-2657-1.
  2. ↑ Caudharī, Abhayakānta (1977). Angika sahitya ka itihasa (in हिन्दी). Shekhar Prakashan.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Kumari, Khusbu; Upadhyay, Ramanjaney Kumar (17 June 2020). "Socio-Cultural Aspects of Angika". - Palarch’s Journal Of Archaeology Of Egypt/Egyptology 17(6). ISSN 1567-214x: 1, 2, 3, 4.
  4. ↑ Missal, Kevin (14 September 2021). Karna: The King of Anga. S&S India. ISBN 978-81-951317-0-9.
  5. ↑ Pandey, Mithila Sharan (1963). The Historical Geography and Topography of Bihar. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-2657-1.
  6. ↑ Masica 1993, p. 12.
  7. ↑ Sevanti Ninan (2007). Headlines From the Heartland: Reinventing the Hindi Public Sphere. SAGE Publications. p. 61. ISBN 978-0-7619-3580-3. Archived from the original on 11 May 2018.
  8. ↑ "2011 Nepal Census, Social Characteristics Tables" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  9. ↑ Jha, Dwijendra Narayan (2014). Ancient India: in historical outline (Reprinted ed.). New Delhi: Manohar Publishers & Distributors. ISBN 978-81-7304-285-0.
  10. ↑ Devendrakumar Rajaram Patil (1946). Cultural History from the Vāyu Purāna. Motilal Banarsidass Pub. p. 46. ISBN 9788120820852.
  11. ↑ Gaṅgā Rām Garg (1992). Encyclopaedia of the Hindu World, Volume 1. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 9788170223740. The prince Vaṅga founded Vaṅga kingdom, in the current day region of southern Bangladesh and the eastern part of southern West Bengal. The prince Kalinga founded the kingdom of Kalinga, in the current day region of coastal Orissa, including the North Sircars. Also the price Pundra founded Pundra consisting of the northern regions of West Bengal and Bangladesh. The prince Suhma founded Suhma Kingdom in the western part of southern West Bengal.
  12. ↑ Balakanda Book I, Chapter 23
  13. ↑ "Behula Bisahari". 17 August 2020.
  14. ↑ "Bihula Vishhari: जानिए बिहुला-विषहरी की पूरी कहानी, क्या है बारी कलश की मान्यता". Zee News (in हिन्दी). Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  15. ↑ "अंग की लोकगाथा है बाला-बिहुला-विषहरी पूजा, ...जानें क्या है मान्यता?". Prabhat Khabar (in हिन्दी). 17 August 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  16. ↑ "Story of Goddess Manasa". Google Arts & Culture. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  17. ↑ "मां विषहरी पूजा: बिहुला विषहरी की गाथा का साक्षी है अंग का इतिहास". Hindustan (in हिन्दी). Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  18. ↑ "PHOTOS: बिहार के भागलपुर में 32 फीट की काली प्रतिमा, देखें जिले में स्थापित देवी की और भी तस्वीरें". Prabhat Khabar (in हिन्दी). 26 October 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  19. ↑ "जानिए छठ पर्व का महत्व, कर्ण ने सबसे पहले की थी सूर्य देव की पूजा". Amar Ujala (in हिन्दी). Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  20. ↑ "Chhath Puja 2019: History, significance, and why it is celebrated". Hindustan Times. 1 November 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  21. ↑ "नगरपारा दह में छठ पर्व का दिखा उत्साह". Hindustan (in हिन्दी). Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  22. ↑ "Bihari Cuisines- 4 regions,4 cuisines". Arts and Museum: 1.
  23. ↑ Sinha, MR Ashok Kumar (1 August 2018). Bihar K Kaljai Shilpkar (in हिन्दी). Upendra Maharathi Shilp Anusandhan Sansthan.
  24. ↑ Indian court painting, 16th-19th century.. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 1997. ISBN 0870997831.
  25. ↑ Sinha, Rajiv Kumar; Pandey, O.P. Manjusha Art: Reflections in Folk-Lore, Trade, and Regional History. Shivalik Prakashan. OCLC 811492081.
  26. ↑ "Manjusha Art of Eastern Bihar". Sahapedia. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  27. ↑ "पीजी संगीत व नाट्य विभाग में अंगिका सह मिथिला लोकपर्व का आयोजन". Hindustan (in हिन्दी). Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  28. ↑ "Samdhi Kahiya Jaibho Angika Comedy 2023". FilmFreeway. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  29. ↑ "Sharda Sinha has more than 1500 folk songs in Angika , Bajjika , Maithili ,Magahi and Bhojpuri languages". The Indian Express. 5 January 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  30. ↑ "अंगिका कलाकारों के लिए संघर्ष करेंगे: छैला बिहारी". Hindustan (in हिन्दी). Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  31. ↑ "मुंगेर में बिहार दिवस सह अंग महोत्सव का हो रहा आयोजन, जानें 4 दिवसीय कार्यक्रम का शेड्यूल". News18 हिंदी (in हिन्दी). 21 March 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  32. ↑ "Bihar Diwas-cum-Anga Mahotsav 2023 | Munger District, Government of Bihar | India". Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  33. ↑ "VIDEO: अंग महोत्सव में सुनील छैला बिहारी के गीतों पर जमकर झूमे लोग". News18 हिंदी (in हिन्दी). 21 March 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  34. ↑ "CM urged to take steps for protection of Angika". The Times of India. 9 July 2011. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  35. ↑ "Efforts on for govt recognition of Angika". The Times of India. 24 July 2011. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  36. ↑ "Angika Samaj Party protest for recognisation of Angika in Katihar". Dainik Bhaskar. Katihar.
  37. ↑ "विभिन्न समस्याओं को लेकर अंगिका समाज पार्टी ने दिया धरना". Hindustan (in हिन्दी). Retrieved 5 August 2023.

Sources[edit]


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