Pachyderms of Prosperity: Clay Elephants in Bihari Wedding Traditions and Chhath Puja
When you attend a Bihari wedding, you also avail the opportunity to explore the artistic journey of the clay elephant which narrates its story from kiln to ceremony and that it's not just limited to clay and nuptial knots, but it goes beyond. The inclusion of handcrafted elephants in Bihari weddings and pujas symbolizes the intricate intertwining of history, culture, and spirituality and goes beyond mere artistic expression. The National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) at Bengaluru houses a number of paintings and creative collections of a renowned artist Upendra Maharathi who lived in Bihar. This exquisite terracotta elephant is part of his extensive collection of Bihar-related artifacts. Source: Dr. Richa Singh Historical Background: For Bihar's culture and history, elephants and pottery have both been extremely significant. Following the Later Vedic Period (1000-600 BCE), Bihar provided a fertile ground for the emergence of the Shramana movement by facilitating t...