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Bihar
follows a rich cultural . In the north,
the predominant themes are from the myths
and legends of Hinduism. The Hindu deities,
Lord Rama and His consort Seeta; and Lord
Shiva and His consort, Parvati, form the
main theme of folk paintings. Lord Krishna
and His consort, Radha, are not as common
a theme as they are in the neighbouring
states of Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
Also included, either under the guise of
the Hindu deities as couples, or more overtly
by paintings of man and woman as husband
and wife, is the theme of procreation. These
paintings frequently adorn the nuptial chamber,
the kohbar, of a newly married couple on
their wedding night. One of the art forms
of Bihar, the Madhubani School of Painting,
has lately received much attention and poularity.
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| Mention
must be made of the Patna School of Painting or
the Patna Qalaam which sadly does not exist any
more. This offshoot of the well-know Mughal Miniature
School of Painting flourished in Bihar during early
18th to mid 20th century. The practitioners of this
art form were descendants of Hindu artisans of Mughal
painting who facing persecution from the Mughal
Emperor, Aurangzeb found refuge, via Murshidabad,
in Patna during late 18th century. |
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settled in the eastern part of modern Patna, in
Patna City, in areas of Lodikatra, the Chowk, Diwan
Muhalla, and Machharhatti. They found patronage
from th zamindars (landlords) and the British officials.
They shared the characteristics of the Mughal painters,
but unlike them (whose subjects included only royalty
and court scenes), the Patna painters also started
painting bazaar scenes. |
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It
is this school of painting that formed the
nucleus for the formation of the Patna Art
School under the leadership of Shri Radha
Mohan. From a modest beginning in one single
room on the Govind Mitra Road in Patna,
it has blossomed into the Government School
of Arts and Crafts, currently housed in
a large building near the Patna Museum.
Radha Mohan was a disciple of Shri Mahadev
Lal (circa 1860-1942), the last Master of
the Patna qalaam. Some examples can be found
at the Gallery located in the School mentioned
before. |
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| After
lying in a moribund state for years, the Patna School
of Arts and Crafts now is showing signs of life.
Prof. Anunay Choubey, a renowned teacher of English
in the Patna University, the author of an authoritative
dissertation on the American poet, Ezra Pound, and
a gifted artist in his own rights, only recently
(September 1999) has been named to head this intitution.
And, we are delighted to report, he has accepted
this responsibility. We wish Anunay Godspeed in
this very important responsibility. Under his able
leadership, we have no doubt, the former lustre
will be restored to this august institution, and
the traditions it represents will become vibrant
again, in no time. |
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| This was not just an
artistic expansion, but was indeed a shrewd move!
It not only enriched the style of painting, but
also brought commercial success among the common
citizens including British officers and their wives.
It is, of course, not the purpose of this short
narrative to give a detailed account of this lovely
and distinct art form that flourished in Bihar for
almost two centuries |
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