BIHAR GOVERNOR ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN INAGURATE THE ‘BHOJPURIA CALENDAR’

BIHAR GOVERNOR ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN INAGURATE THE ‘BHOJPURIA CALENDAR’

6-APRIL-ENG2

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA---------------------Bihar Governor, Arif Mohammad Khan launched the ‘Bhojpuria Calendar’ in the historic Darbar Hall in Patna. Releasing the calendar for the people, the Governor said that this is not just a calendar but a celebration of Indian culture. The programme started with national anthem and the Governor officially inaugurated it by lighting the ceremonial lamp. On the occasion, the creator of the calendar and world record holder painter Sanjeev Sinha, social worker Dheeraj Kushwaha, Director, Sambhawana Residential High School, Ara, Dr. Kumar Dwijendra, Principal of the school, Dr. Archana Kumari and other representatives of art, literature and Bhojpuri language were present.

Observing the calendar, the Governor became emotional. Seeing the name of Bahraich in the painting, he said that this is his area, his name is also inscribed in it. He praised India’s cultural diversity and linguistic harmokny and said that this is not just a celebration of Bhojpuri but of India’s diversity. He added that we embraced diversity as this is our specialty. He also elaborately threw light on the ancient civilization of India and Shaka Samvat, the scientific nature of the Vedas, the cyclical concept of time and the specialty of the calendar.

Dr. Kumar Dwijendra honoured the Governor with a Shawl. Painter Sanjeev Sinha presented him with a special shawl inscribed with Bhojpuri painting on it, a letter of honour, Bhojpuri painting and a Bhojpuri book ‘Labed’ and Geetan Ke Phulwari’ and brooch. Dheerajj Kushwaha was also given Bhojpuri clothes and the artist honoured him by giving him a certificate of honour and brooch.

Novelist Nilay Upadhayaa said that the one who gave numbers 1 to 9 to the world was from Bhojpu region. He was happy that Kaithi, the birthplace of Bhojpuri is today presenting the Bhojpuri calendar which jis ready for a new debate. Today, when nature is in danger, despite the falling standards of Bhojpuri, this work of preserving Bhojpuri culture is being done at a historical site. He was happy that not only is it the right place but its unveiling by the right hands will make this calendar even more historic and important.

Senior theatre personality Chandra Bhushan Pandey while talking about the Sarjna Nyas from its inception in n2011 to its social activities-terracotta, folk art, street plays and painting-said that the organization has been a pioneer in creating public awareness in Naxal-affected areas and in reviving Bhojpuri art at the national level.

This calendar includes traditional Bhojpuri based months (chait, baisakh etc) inform about Shuklpaksha and Krishnapaksha, extinct Kaithi script is used, images of Bhojpuri paintings on every page, inspiration for the new generation in the field of culture and education, document to revive cultural identity and self-respect.

Sanjeev Sinha, creator of the calendar is not just a painter but a true soldier of Bhojpuri folk culture. The curiosity for folk art that arose in him during his BFA studies has now become a movement. In 2002, he gained recognition through his Kohbar paintings and he went from village to village bringing folk culture alive on canvas. His paintings speak not just of colours but of an entire civilization. Sanjeev Sinha gave nationwide recognition to Bhojpuri painting by cycling from Bihar to Ladakh. He established Sarjana Trust in 2011 and trained more than 2000 people to pass on this art to the next generation. In the year 2022, on completion of 100 years of Bapu’s arrival in Ara, Sanjeev Sinha made the world’s largest Yervada Charkha decorated with Bhojpuri paintings in 15 days. This charkha got two world records.

Extending vote of thanks, painter Sanjeev Sinha said that this calendar is not just a collection of dates but a medium of cultural renaissance. He said that in the coming times, Sarjna Trust is working towards establishing a community radio and Bhojpuri art research institute. O P  Pandey, a senior theatre artist and journalist directed and coordinated the programme.

Dheeraj Kushwaha, Brijm Pandey, Ravindra Bharti, Sanjeev Sinha, O P Pandey, Vishnu Shankar, Deepa Srivastava, Shril, Akhauri Vijay Kumar, Chandra Bhushan Pandey, Luv Kumar, Bhim Yadav, Satya Prakash Singh, Meera Kumari, Gaurav Kumar Singh, Deepak Kumar, Dr. Madhurima Kumari, Vikrant and others were also present on the occasion.