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Ramayana-inspired art expert visits Buxar museum
Ramayana-inspired art expert visits Buxar museum

Time of India

time5 days ago

  • General
  • Time of India

Ramayana-inspired art expert visits Buxar museum

Buxar: Dr Lakshmi Graves, a noted researcher and lecturer at Cardiff University, UK, visited the Sitaram Upadhyay Museum in Buxar on Thursday to study rare terracotta figurines linked to the Ramkatha tradition. An expert in Ramayana-inspired art, Dr Graves has conducted extensive research on figurative representations associated with the epic. According to museum curator Shiv Kumar Mishra, the terracotta artefacts on display were unearthed during archaeological excavations at Chausa Garh and are considered rare due to their deep cultural and historical ties to the Ramayana. These ancient pieces continue to attract scholars from India and abroad. Dr Graves thoroughly examined the museum's collection and commended the institution for its careful preservation of these valuable antiquities. She described the collection as "extraordinary and unique", emphasizing the need for global recognition of its scholarly and cultural importance. The museum staff extended full support to the visiting researcher during her study.

Buxar to hold 3-day workshop on ancient Kaithi script in Aug
Buxar to hold 3-day workshop on ancient Kaithi script in Aug

Time of India

time17-07-2025

  • Politics
  • Time of India

Buxar to hold 3-day workshop on ancient Kaithi script in Aug

Buxar: Aiming at raising awareness about Kaithi and preserve the legacy for future generations, Sitaram Upadhyay Museum, Buxar, and Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach), Patna Chapter, will jointly organise a three-day training-cum-workshop on the ancient script of Bihar from Aug 2 to 4 here. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Announcing this on Thursday, Sitaram Upadhyay Museum curator Shiv Kumar Mishra said that the registration for the workshop will begin on July 18 at the museum. Participation is limited, and priority will be given to professionals involved in land and legal documentation — such as revenue officials, 'amin', 'kanungo', advocates and bank employees — since the Kaithi script holds significant relevance in land-related matters. Mishra said that the ongoing land survey by the Bihar govt requires reading of historical documents written in Kaithi, a skill that is currently lacking among most stakeholders. This knowledge gap poses challenges in processing land records and obtaining loans based on such documentation. Art and culture officer of Buxar district, Pratima Kumari, said the Kaithi script is a valuable cultural heritage of Bihar. Evidence of the script dates back nearly 1,000 years but from the era of Sher Shah Suri, Kaithi became widely used for land and legal records. Historical figures such as Veer Kunwar Singh and the maharaja of Darbhanga also used the Kaithi script for land deeds. However, in today's context, even advocates and judicial officials often lack the necessary script literacy, complicating legal adjudication of land disputes — one of the most common issues pending in Bihar's courts. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now To preserve this valuable linguistic heritage, Mishra and his team have conducted numerous training and awareness programmes across Bihar in cities like Patna, Darbhanga, Bhagalpur, Nawada and Begusarai. Bihar revenue department has also taken an initiative to train its employees, with two young trainers — Pritam Kumar and Waqar Ahmed — leading the govt sessions across various districts.

Kaithi script training centre to be set up at Buxar museum
Kaithi script training centre to be set up at Buxar museum

Time of India

time26-06-2025

  • General
  • Time of India

Kaithi script training centre to be set up at Buxar museum

Buxar: A dedicated training centre for the Kaithi script will be set up within a month at the Sitaram Upadhyay Museum in Buxar, museum curator Shiv Kumar Mishra announced on Thursday. The move comes as the state govt undertakes a statewide land survey, where a key obstacle has been the inaccessibility of historical records written in Kaithi. Once widely used across the state, the Kaithi script is now understood by very few, making it difficult for officials to interpret crucial land documents. "The widespread unfamiliarity with Kaithi is causing delays in loan processing and judicial decisions related to land disputes," said Mishra. Kaithi has been in use in the region for nearly a thousand years. One of its earliest known inscriptions, dated to the 9th or 10th century, is located at the Baijnath Shiva Temple in Kaimur district. Others have been found in Srinagar (Madhepura) and Andharathadhi (Madhubani). Two rare inscriptions, featuring Kaithi, Bengali and Nagari scripts, are also engraved on the gates of the Bateshwar Shiva Temple in Bhagalpur. The script served as the official medium for land records during Sher Shah Suri's reign and remained in use during the time of Veer Kunwar Singh. Zamindars in regions like Darbhanga also used it to document their estates. Despite its historical significance, a lack of Kaithi proficiency among land officials, legal professionals and bank staff has led to bottlenecks in administration and justice. "Functional literacy in Kaithi is essential for resolving land disputes," Mishra said. To address this, training and awareness programmes have been held nationally and internationally. Thousands have participated in workshops in Patna, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, Nawada and Begusarai. The state revenue department has begun formal training, aided by experts Pritam Kumar and Waqar Ahmed. A learning booklet has also been published. Institutions such as the Maithili Sahitya Sansthan, Bihar Archaeological Council, INTACH and CIIL Mysuru are supporting the effort. Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University now offers a six-month certificate course in the script. "Our mission continues. By promoting Kaithi literacy, we intend to preserve a vital part of Bihar's cultural heritage and restore its practical utility," Mishra said.

Rare terracotta sculptures unveiled in Chausa museum
Rare terracotta sculptures unveiled in Chausa museum

Time of India

time10-06-2025

  • General
  • Time of India

Rare terracotta sculptures unveiled in Chausa museum

Buxar: Rare terracotta sculptures unearthed from Chausa Garh in Buxar are set to reshape Indian art history, said former Rajya Sabha MP Nagendra Nath Ojha at a programme held during the inauguration of a dedicated gallery at the Sitaram Upadhyay Museum on Tuesday. Ojha called for research into the artisans' lives and practices behind the ancient works. The gallery, based on Ram Katha, was jointly inaugurated by Ojha, Buxar Municipal Council chairperson Kamrun Nisha and a representative of the erstwhile Dumraon estate. Museum head Shiv Kumar Mishra said that between 2011 and 2014, the department of art, culture and youth excavated a Vaishnav terracotta temple under Umesh Chandra Dwivedi's supervision. "The site reveals traces of four cultural layers, suggesting a civilisation dating back 4,000-5,000 years," Mishra said. Among the rare finds is a fourth-century clay sculpture of Shiva-Parvati's marriage, believed to be India's oldest. Others depict Vishwamitra, Menaka and Shakuntala, Hanuman, Kumbhakarna, and Ram with some bearing inscriptions in ancient scripts. Mishra added, "Scenes such as Sita's abduction and Ram striking Kumbhakarna with an arrow showcase remarkable craftsmanship." Clay figures of deities, monkeys and mythical beings are also on display. Bronze Jain statues from 1931 found at the same site are preserved in the Bihar Museum. Chairperson Kamrun Nisha commended the museum for preserving Buxar's heritage and pledged continued support.

Rare terracotta sculptures to be showcased at Buxar's museum
Rare terracotta sculptures to be showcased at Buxar's museum

Time of India

time22-05-2025

  • Time of India

Rare terracotta sculptures to be showcased at Buxar's museum

1 2 Buxar: Rare terracotta sculptures unearthed from Chausa Garh will soon be showcased at the Sitaram Upadhyay Museum, located near Ramrekha Ghat, in Buxar. A new Chausa Clay Statue Gallery is being developed to exhibit these priceless artefacts, many of which date back to the Gupta period, museum in charge Shiv Kumar Mishra said on Thursday. The sculptures were discovered during archaeological excavations conducted by the state govt's directorate of archaeology between 2011 and 2014. Scholars Umesh Chandra Dwivedi and Jalaj Kumar Tiwari have meticulously studied and documented around 50 terracotta figures recovered from the site. Most of the statues depict scenes from the Ramayana, such as Sita Haran (the abduction of Sita), battles involving Ram and Lakshman, and figures of Hanuman and Sugriv. Several sculptures are inscribed in Brahmi script, dating back to the 4th century AD. One of the most significant pieces is the Kalyan Sundara sculpture, representing the divine marriage of Shiva and Parvati. It is considered the earliest known terracotta depiction of this theme in the country. "These artefacts not only reflect the artistic brilliance of the Gupta era but also stand as invaluable cultural and historical treasures of the country," Mishra said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 자신이 전략의 달인이라고 생각하시나요? 레이드 섀도우 레전드 무료 체험 Undo "If you want to connect with our heritage, this museum is a must-visit." The Sitaram Upadhyay Museum is a rich confluence of ancient relics. It houses a vast array of statues and artefacts of deities dating from prehistoric times to the Kushan period, primarily unearthed from excavations in Buxar, Chausa, and the Dumraon subdivision. However, despite its historical significance, the museum receives only 10-12 visitors on an average day. "Many residents are still unaware of this remarkable cultural heritage site," said Abhijit Kumar, a local teacher of history. The museum's collection spans from 3rd century BC to 7th century AD, representing the pre-Mauryan, Kushan, and Gupta periods. Among the highlights is what is believed to be the oldest known statue of Lord Nandi. Established in 1979, the museum underwent a major transformation in 1993 with the construction of a new building by the Bihar art and culture department. This development is documented in the museum's visitor records. The museum houses approximately 1,500 antiquities, categorised into stone sculptures, terracotta figures, manuscripts, lithographs, coins, and prehistoric relics. Key exhibits include statues of Lord Vishnu, Shiva (Shankar), and Nandi—strong evidence of the influence of Vaishnavism and Shaivism in ancient India. The museum also boasts an extensive coin collection, ranging from ancient to medieval times. It includes punch-marked coins—the earliest known in Indian history—as well as coins from the Greek, Kushan, Shaka, Gupta, and Mughal periods, crafted in gold, silver, copper, and lead. "Despite having only four staff members, including myself, we are committed to revitalising interest in the museum," Mishra said. In March 2024, the museum hosted a national seminar titled Art of Magadh. On World Heritage Day and International Museum Day, various events were organized for school students and the general public, including a photo exhibition showcasing Bihar's rich heritage.

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