MANJUSHA ART

Ram Dhari Singh Dinkar, a well-known Hindi writer, has written in his book call “Sanskriti ke Char Adhyay” that around 2^nd century a place call “Champa” was establish near Indo-China sea. They gave name Champa to that place became people (Hindu) who establish these place came from Champa (Bhagalpur) itself. All islands collectively known as Ang Island.

Champa was the capital of Ang Country, which was establish by Bali’s son name Ang. By this king only after winning the whole earth [erfommed Ashwamegh Yagya. Champa – Great Mauryan ……. King Ashoka’s Born Place of 12^th Mahavir Vasupujya, a Jan God. It said that around 6^th century, a great Merchant called chandradhar was born. Bala Lakhendra was the son of Chandradhar and Bihula Bala Lakhendra, Lakhendra’s wife who was haunted by the Mansa sister, because beside great follower of vishahri, Lord Shiva’s great Bhakt Chandradhar didn’t allow Mansa to worship Lord Shiva.

Story : Story is there saying that Lord Shiva daughter Manas (Vishahri, Maina, Aditi, Jaya & Padma) was so jealous because Lord Shiva, Goddess Parwati, Lord Ganesha and Kartik was too worshipped by people residing on earth except them. Mansa went to Lord Shiva and told him the problem, on that Lord Shiva said that, “You can only worship on earth if Chando, a reside of Champa worship you. After hearing all this, Mansa sister went to Chandra, Chandra refuse to worship them except Lord Shiva.

On this Mansa’s were so angry that they punished chandradhar by sinking Chandradhar’s boat, which were on the way for trade. All boat/ships inked into the sea as well as 6 sons of Chandradhar, who were boarded on the ship/boat. Then also Chandradhar didn’t agree to worship them.

7^th son of Chandradhar married to Bihula. They all die on his marriage night due to snake bite, that’s why for that purpose all protection was given to Bihula. He was kept in house made up of Iron. But there was a small hole in the wall, from where snake entered and bite Bala. He was treated by a great Guru called Dhanottar and Kesho Jharkhandi, but then also he didn’t survive and Bihula lost her husband and became widow.

But then also Chandradhar didn’t accept Mansa request. He order to put Lakhendra’s body in Ganga but Bihula didn’t allow them to do that. On Bihula request a huge ship was built with many storey’s which was built by Lord Vishwakarma.

Ang Pradesh’s popular folk art “Manjusha” was made on this huge ship. Ship was made in such a way that, it looked like a great and fabulous palace. Manjusha, which was made a contain the story of Bala and Bihula. On the wall of Manjusha Lahsan Mali made all the pictures full of life which was related to all the incidents of Bala-Bihula.

It took place around 1500 years ago and still today this art is famous and popular as Manjusha. 16 & 17 August is sawan and Bhadra mas of Singh Nakshatra, because on that day only, Bala was bitten by snake.

Believe is there that even today Manjusha is made in same way in Ang Pradesh as it was made by Vishwakarma at that time. Every year, Before the entry of Singh Nakshatra, people start making Manjusha, which is fabulous to watch.

Manjusha Art is made on a board which is of sanay wood and sola. Manjusha art is made on 4 corner, but some special type of Manjusah is quiet different that of 4 corner Manjusha art, in these Manjusha is 6 corner and beside 4 stakes, 8 stakes gave support to stand. In special type of Manjusha, Many different types of designs are used to make it beautiful. Either normal or special, Manjusah is made on board depicting story of Bala-Bihula in fantastic way with colors full of life, in which they also include plants of Champa town and snake near leaves, fine Vishahri Sisters, Merchant Chandradhar, Bala Lakhendra, Crocodile – symbol of Ganga, moon, sun etc. which are mainly important. In this to Specify Bihula, they make her hair open, with snake beside her and Vishahri sister are specified with different type of symbol made on their hand. Manjusha art is different method of art, which is generally contain Green, Yellow & red color to make it lively.

In Manjusha art, border contain of chain made up of snake and leafs of Champa tree was most important. Lines are made in “Palut” or “S” in such a way that may be it look like a chain, but originally this “S” type lines are snake which are join to make a chain, on the placement of painting brush it look like snake’s head. Less people can only make but the difference generally it is not noticed by knowledgably person too.

Possibility is there that “Naag-puja” or “ Naag-Alankaran” was first started in Ang Pradesh. Might be it was started before the establishment of Sindhu Culture.

Dr. B.P.Sinha of Department of ancient history and archeological of Patna university started excavation on Champa (Bhagalpur) in 1970 – 71 in which many antiquity, relics as well as many beautiful snake couple, which head was of human came out. According to historians it might be of Sindhu civilization. In excavation, many Teracota snake art came out which proves that at that time too snake was worshiped in Ang Pradesh.

Many human from which are very much similar to that of English letter “X”. To make out the difference between Man & Woman, man are made with mustache and woman with two circle on her chest and one more difference is men’s neck is little bit thicker that of women’s neck. On one hand all the human form are earless and on other side they have big-big eye, which is scary to see. It’s very important to mention here that five neck snake is depicting Mansa sister with this line. Beside all this, Manjusha which make sun and moon is some how or some where symbol of.

Historian Jyotish Chandra Sharma in his book call “Prachin Champa” written about Angika language and about the marriage of Bala-Bihula Marriage, Chandradhar invited Mohammad Sahab daughter Fatima and her wife Bibi Fatima also send her boy in wedding. If this thing proved than we can know about the truth of moon made on Manjusha and also about the time of Merchant Chandradhar.

In Modern time, Manjusha art was first discovered by W.G.Archor (I.C.S.) in year 1948 and recognized Manjusha art as a national Heritage of India.

He also exhibited Manjusha art made by Mali family in Indian House of London. In modern time a Voluntary Organization Disha Gramin Vikas Manch is promoting this art with the help of NABARD.