Bajjika or Baseri art is a lesser known traditional folk painting style from the Bajjikanchal region of Bihar. It is an important folk art tradition rooted deeply in nature and the lifestyle, beliefs and marriage rituals of the community.
The art was practiced only by women, who transferred it to their daughters and daughters-in-law while creating them for family rituals.
The bamboo tree is an element of great importance in this style as it represents fertility and procreation.
About the artist:
Ms. Kanchan Prakash, a folk-contemporary artist from Muzaffarpur, Bihar, and an alumna of BHU and NIFT Delhi, is a promoter of Bajjika Art, developing a contemporary expression rooted in the traditional Sujini embroidery and Bhitti Chitra wall-painting practices of rural Bihar.
Drawing from lived memory, community traditions, and cultural heritage, her work reinterprets these traditions while creating sustainable livelihoods for local artisans.
In the workshop:
We will learn about the important rituals and associated patterns of the region. We hear the folklore and beliefs of the people. We learn to draw various motifs and compositions with their relevance.
We also learn the unique style of painting developed by Kanchanji that amalgamates various crafts of Bajjikanchal in her works. It celebrate folk narratives, feminine perspectives, and rural life, often depicting stories of gods and goddesses from the Bajjikanchal region.