SIX DAY WORKSHOP ON TIKULI PAINTING ORGANIZED

SIX DAY WORKSHOP ON TIKULI PAINTING ORGANIZED

5-APRIL-ENG 3

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA----------------------------"My childhood was spent right here in Bihar. Since that time, I have been hearing about and learning about the art of Tikuli. Tikuli art originated and evolved within the city of Patna itself; in this regard, it serves as a defining identity of the city. It is a delightful experience to meet a total of 33 renowned artists at this workshop—including the Padma Shri awardee and Tikuli artist Shri Ashok Kumar Biswas—along with nearly a dozen State Award winners. I am hopeful that captivating and exquisite artworks will emerge from this six-day workshop."

These sentiments were expressed by the renowned ceramic artist and Padma Shri awardee, Brahmadev Ram Pandit, while delivering his inaugural address at a workshop titled "Hidden Treasure of Tikuli Art" (Tikuli Kala Mein Antarnihit Saundarya). The event was organized by the Bihar Museum, Patna, in its multi-purpose auditorium on March 28.

Presiding over the program, Anjani Kumar Singh, Director General of the Bihar Museum, provided details regarding the workshop. He stated that the Bihar Museum is committed not only to the conservation and display of ancient historical artifacts but also to the promotion of Bihar's indigenous folk arts. While events centered on Mithila painting have been organized periodically at the Bihar Museum, until now—despite being another ancient painting style of the state—no workshop or exhibition dedicated to Tikuli painting had ever been organized in any city across the entire country, including Bihar. For this very reason, the Bihar Museum has undertaken this historic initiative for the first time, bringing together renowned artists of the Tikuli tradition. The artworks created during this workshop will be featured in an exhibition commencing on April 5 at the Bihar Museum itself, which will remain open to the public until April 30.

Ashok Kumar Sinha, the program coordinator and Additional Director of the Bihar Museum, noted that Tikuli art—much like Mithila painting—is an extremely ancient artistic tradition. The only difference between the two is that the Mithila painting style originated from themes related to religion, festivals, and customs, whereas the foundation of the Tikuli painting style lies in the *bindi*—a symbol traditionally associated with women's adornment and beauty. As the very name suggests, the Tikuli painting style involves creating beautiful imagery through the use of dots—ranging in size from small to large—much like the *bindi* worn on the forehead. Upendra Maharathi and Lal Babu Gupta (the mentor of Padma Shri Ashok Kumar Biswas) made significant contributions in bringing recognition to the Tikuli painting style. Thanks to their tireless efforts—and the ongoing endeavors of Ashok Kumar Biswas today—this art form continues to advance toward greater prosperity and renown.

Padma Shri Ashok Kumar Biswas stated, "We have been working in the field of Tikuli art for a long time; yet, even today, it has not received a GI (Geographical Indication) tag—unlike Mithila painting and Sujani embroidery—despite the fact that we fulfill all the requisite criteria." All necessary documentation to secure a GI tag for Tikuli painting has been submitted to the relevant department by the Bihar Museum. "We are hopeful that the government will soon grant its approval on this matter." Currently, products featuring Tikuli painting have been selected by the Government of India under the 'One District, One Product' scheme. Consequently, the number of admirers and buyers of this art form is growing—not only within India but also across the globe. "We now await the granting of the GI tag to Tikuli painting, which would enable this art form to reach a wider international audience and ensure that its direct benefits accrue to the artists who practice it." Mr. Ashok Kumar Biswas expressed his gratitude to the Bihar Museum for providing a complimentary gallery space and other special assistance for the workshop and exhibition dedicated to this historic Tikuli art form. A large number of Tikuli artists were present at the ceremony.

Notably, a total of 33 renowned Tikuli artists—including Padma Shri Ashok Kumar Biswas—participated in this workshop. The workshop was held from March 28 to April 3, 2026. Following the inaugural ceremony, all the guests—including the Director General of the Bihar Museum, Anjani Kumar Singh—toured and observed the workshop, offering words of encouragement to the artists.

Needless to say, the Bihar Museum, Patna, has undertaken a beautiful initiative to chronicle and preserve the journey of *Tikuli* art—tracing its evolution from a cosmetic accessory to a medium for museum exhibits. This endeavor has established a unique, invaluable, and unparalleled identity for Bihar within the national art landscape—a distinction for which the credit, without exaggeration, goes to the Director General of the Bihar Museum, Anjani Kumar Singh.