Manjusha

The Manjushas, which are made up of Jute straws and paper, depict sketches of different charecters, apart from those of Gods and Goddesses, thereby giving a vivid description of the entire mythology attached to Bishahari puja.

Manjusha Art

Importance of this art form could be compared at best with the splendour craftsmanship that was prevalent in the ancient "Anga Pradesh" - a name with which this zone was once famous. Despite being quite different in style, the present day depiction of the Manjusha art is termed by the connoisseurs as simple. But before going into the details of this folk art, it is necessary to know the myth attached to it.

Sixty five years old Chakravarti Devi is the living legend of this art here. According to her, three colours - red, green and yellow - are primarily used in this folk painting. She is the senior most artist among a total of 20 odd people who make Manjushas. Earlier, they used to prepare over 1,500 Manjushas in comparison to the present number of around 500. She attributes the waning popularity of Manjusha art to the decline in number of Bishahri Bhagats (devotees).

In this style of paintings, human beings are depicted in the form of English letter 'X' with limbs drawn with linear and uniform bold lines. Other features include portraying Bishahri along with Snakes. The main characters in the art form are projected Sans ear and with big eyes. For decoration, weavy lines are used. Unfortunately, this unique art is today facing an imminent danger of becoming extinct in absence of any encouragement either from the various social organisation or the government. Artists associated with this art form are now switching over to other trades in order to make their both ends meet.

Story Behind Manjusha

Maina, Bhawani, Devi, Padma and Jaya - the five sisters - were the 'Manas Putriyan' (divine daughters) of Lord Shiva. The were also called Bishahari. Once they apprised Lord Shiva of their keen desire to be worshiped on the planet Earth. The lord pondered for a while and put a condition, saying "if my Bhakt, Chando, accepts to worship you all then it is all right for me". According to the myth, Chando, who was a trader and lived at Champanagar on the western outskirts of Bhagalpur town, refused to comply to their wishes. This infuriated the five Manas Putriyan who killed all the six sons of Chando and also drowned his ship carrying merchandise. However, the fate had something else in its mind as Chando's wife Sonika gave birth to the seventh son, Bala.

In the meantime, an Ujjain based trader, Basu, was blessed with a daughter, Bihula. As time passed by, both Bala and Bihula grew into adults and one fine day even their marriage was fixed. However, the wrath of the raging sisters had not subsided by then and they threatened to kill Bala on the very night of his marriage. In order to check their entry into the house, Chando prepared a compact dwelling, made of iron and bamboo, for the couple. But, the still angry Bishahari sisters somehow managed to slip a Naag (snake) inside their new dwelling which bit Bala killing him instantaneously. A non-chalant Bihula then prepared a Manjusha shaped boat and went to Indralok (heaven). There she requested the Gods to revivify her husband. The Gods were pleased with her concern for her husband and thus Bala got back his life. On her return from the Indralok, Bihula persuaded Chando to worship Bishari. And since then Bishahri Puja is observed, says the myth.