Manjusha/Angika Art and Sikki Grass Art

About Manjusha/Angika Art

• Manjusha is art form of Bihar.
• It is also known as scroll painting,
• Origin: It basically originated in the Ang Region (modern day Bhagalpur) and is based on the story of Bihula-Bishari.
  • Some have also traced back its origin to the Indus Valley Civilization.
• This form of painting is significant during Bishari Puja around Bhagalpur and other parts of Bihar.
• Theme: The paintings are story-based and used for the pictorial depiction of several folk tales.
• Color Used: It is painted only in three colours – pink, green and yellow.
• Borders: It uses five kinds of borders known as Lehriya, Belpatr, Srp ki Ladi, Tribhuj and Mokha.
• Style: It is a line drawing art form and the lines are generally in green.
  • Characters are typically drawn in profile with limbs resembling an “X” shape. 
• It is recognized for bold outlines, snake motifs, and vibrant colours.

About Sikki Grass Art

• The Sikki Grass Art is traditional craft form from the Mithila region of Bihar.
  • It is practiced in Sitamari, Madhubani and Dharbanga district of Bihar.
• Raw Material: It is made from the golden hued sikki grass. Sikki is a grass-like weed that grows on the banks of the Ganges.
  • Women collect and dry it, giving it a lustrous golden hue and coarse texture.
• Method: The common long grass is wired and stitched together with the Pasikki, dyed in several different shades, using a thick needle called Takua.
• The craft products often depict the daily rhythms of craftsperson’ lives to their natural surroundings, mythological and religious aspects.
• Items made: Replicas of gods, goddess and temples depicting Hindu epics to modem functional items like tray, baskets, pen stand, necklaces, bangles etc. are also crafted artisans weave baskets, boxes, trays, and decorative pieces by hand.
  • The craft is known for its beautiful patterns and bright accents.
• Recognition: It was recognized with the GI tag in 2007.