Manjusha Art is an ancient and historically significant art form of Ang Pradesh which is currently known as Bhagalpur city of Bihar. This art has been prevalent in Bhagalpur for a long time. Manjusha Art came to the forefront between the time periods of 1931-1948.
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. The tale is that of Bihula who saved her husband from the deity’s curse and a snake-bite; also of Bishahari or Mansa, the snake goddess known for her anger when displeased but also her fierce protectiveness when propitiated.
Lord Shiva and Parvati accepted five daughters originated from five strands of Lord Shiva’s hair that fell into the Sonada river. Their names are- Jaya Bishahari (symbol of bow and arrow), Dhothila Bhavani (symbol of the rising sun), Padmavathi (symbol of lotus), Mynah Bisahari (symbol of a mynah bird) and Maya Bishahari/Manasa Bishahari (symbol of Amrith Kalash). These deities are the main characters of the Manjusha painting. Other characters are Chand Suadagar(symbol of staff in his hand), Nethula Dhobin, Depiction of a Manjusa, Bihura, Depiction of Kalash.
Characteristics of Manjusha Art:
Three colors are used in Manjusha Art. Green, Pink and Yellow, representing growth love and prosperity. The green colour is used for outlines, then it is filled with yellow and pink colours.
In Manjusha Art Borders are very Important.
Manjusha is a line drawing Art.
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, Shiv Ling, Tree etc.
Major Characters of Manjusha Art – Lord Shiva, Mansa DeVi (Bishari), Bihula, Bala, Hanuman, Chandu Saudagar.
Borders in Manjusha Art–
Every ‘Manjusha painting’ must contain one or more borders.
1. Belpatr in which the symbol of holy Leafs of Belpatr. In Hindu tradition, we worship Lord Shiva with Belpatr Leafs.
2. Lehariya in which symbol of Waves of River is drawn.
3. Mokha in this kind of border design and decoration.
4. Tribhuj (Triangle) in which the triangle symbol borders are drawn.
5. Sarp Ki Ladi (series of Snakes) in which snake patterns are drawn on a border.
The art form started fading away in the middle of the 20th century. Due to financial hardships, lack of government and media support and poor reception from artists across the country, this rich traditional art hasn’t received attention.
Fortunately, the Bihar government is now making efforts to revive this craft and patent it as Bhagalpur folk art.