PATNA: The year-long centenary celebration of Bihar will now be showcasing its rich cultural legacy outside the state. In the first phase, it would be held in two states — UP and Rajasthan.
Bihar government had kicked off the celebration on March 22-24 here at the Gandhi maidan, in which Bihari cuisine, its art, film and culture were showcased.
Bihar’s art and culture department, in collaboration with Allahabad-based North Central Zone Cultural Centre ( NCZCC), has decided to organize cultural festivals in north India, A sum of Rs 20 lakh has already been earmarked for this purpose.
In the first phase, a five-day Bihar festival will be organized at Allahabad commencing from first week of September. As many as 75 stalls displaying Bihar’s Madhubani paintings, sikki works, terracotta, tusser silk of Bhagalpur etc would be put up during the celebration, said director, art, Sanjay Singh.
Besides art work, mouth watering Bihari dishes like ‘litti-chokha’, ‘makhana’, ‘Magahi paan’ and ‘Barh ki laai’ would also be displayed, Singh told TOI.
A special screening of documentaries based on Bihar’s culture, history would be screened during the five-day festival to popularize the rich cultural heritage of Bihar. Besides, some of the popular artists of Bihar would also be giving their performances. A series of nukkad natak, folk dance and song would also be organized, Singh said.
After Allahabad, people in Udaipur will be able to “see” Bihar through its dance, song, documentaries, cuisine etc early next year.
“Programmes for these two cities have been finalized. We are also working out plans for similar festivals in other cities,” said culture minister Sukhda Pandey.