In Bihar and elsewhere it’s festive time in March. One can catch a glimpse of the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Bihar in the living art and crafts, especially the exquisite tradition of handloom weavers simultaneously in Patna, Delhi, USA and Japan.

This year, the Bihar government will celebrate Bihar Diwas (Bihar Day) on March 22-24 after a gap of more than two years due to Covid 19 pandemic.

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Bihar Diwas is celebrated every year on March 22, marking the formation of the state of Bihar from the Bengal presidency in 1912. This day is a public holiday in Bihar. This year, the main theme of the Bihar Diwas is “ Yuva Shakti ki Pragati”.

A 15- day Bihar Utsav 2023 will take off from Thursday (March 16) at INA Dilli Haat in New Delhi. The Department of Industries, Bihar government, is the main organising partner in Delhi. In total, 120 stalls will be set up by Bihar’s handicrafts, handloom and Bihar Khadi, which are beneficiaries of Mukhyamanyri Udyami Yojana.

Giving this information, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Industries, Bihar Sandeep Paundrik said that the Bihar Day will be celebrated in a big way at Dilli Haat. Final touches are being given to Dilli Haat with Bihar theme for the occasion.

The special secretary Department of Industries said this year 120 stalls of Bihar’s famous handloom and handicrafts will be set up in Bihar Utsav in which the state’s famous Bhagalpuri silk and the famous handicrafts will be on display.

Bihari artists will get an opportunity to sell, exhibit and market their handloom and handicraft products, said an official. Apart from this, the stalls of Bihari traditional cuisine will be a major attraction of the Utsav.

Handloom products made by two Padma Shri awarded artists – Kapildeo Prasad of Bawanbuti Handicraft of Nalanda and Subhàdra Devi, famous artist of the paper mache – will be the centre of attraction of Bihar Utsav in Delhi.

On this occasion, a cultural programme of Bihar folk art and music will also be organised in Dilli Haat. A large number of Biharis living in Delhi will be able to enjoy Bihari flavour and its products during its 15 day Utsav eat Dilli Haat. It is aimed to attract the people in general and tourists to Bihar and its rich cultural legacy.

The three-day function will be organised in Patna’s Gandhi Maidan, SK Memorial Hall, Rabindra Bhavan and Bihar Museum from March 22-24. The nodal department is the Education Department which is being supported by the Rural Development Department of Art, Culture and Social Welfare. A series of programmes, including exhibitions, food stalls of Bihari cuisine, free cinema shows, cultural and classical programmes, are lined up during the three-day festival.

After a gap of several years, Bihar Diwas will also be celebrated in the US and Japan from March 22-24. Preparations are going on to organise it by the Bihar Foundation in collaboration with the consulate general of India. A large number of non-resident Biharis (NRBs) are taking extra interest in organising this day with great enthusiasm.

A series of shows like film screening on Bihar, heritage walk, Bihari cuisines, cultural programmes and workshops are lined up both in countries like the USA and in Japan. A large number of people living in India as well as abroad will be connected through online, said an official.

A three-day festival of words and performances is slated to begin from March17 at Bihar Museum where a galaxy of artists, writers, authors and singers will assemble to showcase their respective art.