Crafts of India – Best of Bihar Handicrafts for home decor

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Written By ms

Bihar handicrafts for your home – Discover the beautiful Bihari folk art and handmade crafts to for traditional ethnic home decor

Do you know, most people in Bihar are agriculturists and professional artisans? Yes, the excellence of Biharis in art and crafts have gained popularity all over the world. You may be aware, Bihar offers rich culture, heritage, and handicrafts. 

Interestingly, Bihar is one of the oldest inhabited places in India. It has an origin of the Indo-Aryan group dating to three millennia back. Epic events like Mahabharata and Ramayana have influenced the culture of Biharis. The state is also a home to different religions. The art and crafts from the state of Bihar draw inspirations from it’s vibrant and versatile lifestyles.

sikki craft
Sikki craft from Pinterest

Crafts of Bihar

You see, there is an elegance to the crafts of Bihar crafts. The artistic spirit in the handicrafts of this region is a perfect addition to your home decor. From Madhubani paintings to Sujani embroidery, Bihari art is fantastic for your wall decor, home linen, and accessories. Let’s enhance the beauty of your home by adding the Artistic Bihari touch. 

What are the crafts of Bihar?

You can make your home colourful with Bihar’s decorative handcrafted decor items. Here, I am sharing the famous art and crafts of Bihar- it’s time to enjoy and indulge.
For wall decor:
Madhubani paintings, Manjusha Art, Tikli art
For table decor:
Terracotta, Stonework, Papier-mache
For Home linen:
Sujani embroidery, Khatwa applique, Silk Tussar
Home accents and accessories:
Cane and bamboo decor items, Sikki craft, Wooden toys
Explore more of Bihar handicrafts here

How to enhance the beauty of your home with art and crafts from Bihar?
The art and crafts of Bihar draw inspiration from its rich historical past. Whether Madhubani paintings or Sujani embroidery, they all depict the vibrant and versatile lifestyle of the natives. 
Here are steps to help you choose the perfect Bihari art that will accentuate your home.

  1. Know the crafts of Bihar

    Bihar offers rich and varied handicrafts. Each unique art form is a beautiful intrinsic creation. Some well-known crafts from the state include:
    Madhubani paintings – Also called Mithila art. The images usually depict social events and scenes from the royal court.
    Manjusha Art – Manjusha art is an ode to a goddess and a festival. It uses bright colours such as yellow, pink, red, and green.
    Tikuli Art – Tikuli means a bindi worn by women. Tikuli art paintings depict wedding scenes, Bihari festivals, and Lord Krishna’s life.
    Terracotta – Animal figurines, pottery, and ceramic sculptures in terracotta are famous. 
    Stonework – Ashoka pillar at Sarnath exemplifies Bihar’s artistic skills. The beautiful stone works include unique designs of tables and fountains.
    Papier-mache – Different types of masks for dance forms were prepared using papier-mache.
    Sujani embroidery – A great piece of art done with simple stitches and cloth sewn on a readymade material.
    Khatwa applique – The artwork involves attaching a fabric cut piece to another in an artistic manner.
    Silk Tussar – Tussar silk sarees and other clothing are famed for their fine quality.
    Cane and bamboo craft – Artisans use cane and bamboo to create useful and creative articles such as mats, baskets, etc.
    Sikki craft – Sikki is a gold-toned grass. The grass is weaved into beautiful boxes, pieces of jewellery, and murals and then painted in vibrant colours.
    Wooden craft – Wood is carved intricately to produce wooden toys, tabletops, wall plaques, and other items.

  2. Choose the Bihar handicraft décor idea

    Make your home come alive with decorative handcrafted decor items. Take your pick from the following list depending on the space you want to décor.
    Wall décor – To adorn your home walls with beautiful paintings.
    Table décor – Add a splash of colour to your side tables and dining table with exquisite décor items. 
    Home linen- Brighten your rooms with linen in attractive colours of Bihari art.
    Home accents and accessories – Creatively designed and usable accessories such as baskets, mats, furniture, and other household wares.

  3. Select the option available for the chosen décor idea

    Wall décor items look great with: 
    Madhubani paintings
    Manjusha art
    Tikuli Art
    Table decorations from Bihar use the following craftwork:
    Terracotta
    Stonework
    Papier-mache
    Home linen is beautified with:
    Sujani embroidery
    Khatwa applique
    Silk Tussar on curtains and cushion covers
    Home Accessories can be:
    Cane and bamboo décor items
    Sikki craft
    Wooden toys

    You are spoilt for choice with the available craft variations. Besides its myriad hues, colours, and beauty, Bihar’s handicraft is known for its practicality and usefulness.  

Bihar handicrafts Decor

Wall decor

Your home walls play an important role in beautifying your home. You can add a touch of Bihar art to your home. You can do so is by hanging some artistic Madhubani paintings. The walls of your home will instantly look appealing. 

Madhubani paintings

Madhubani can also be called Mithila art. Bihari women have been practising this art for a long time. The paintings usually depict social events and scenes from the royal court. The picture revolves around the Hindu deities like Lord Rama, Shiva, Krishna, etc. The images also include Saraswati, Maa Durga. You may wonder what is so special or unique about these paintings. The unique thing of Madhubani art is the creation method. These paintings use rice paste and colours such as turmeric, colours of flowers, etc. You can add these beautiful, sustainable art pieces as wall art decorations.

Manjusha art

This one comes from as early as the 7th century Bhagalpur area in Bihar. The art style is an ode to a goddess and also a festival. Manjusha art uses bright colours such as yellow, pink, red and green. Also, Manjusha paintings use organic tools and dyes. An artist kit holds bamboo sticks, camel hair for brushes, and plant-based colours. The folk art is hand made. So, the lines and forms are imperfect. It enhances the artwork’s unique visual appeal.

Tikuli Art

The rare and intricate art dates back almost 800 years in the Mughal era. In local Bihari dialect, Tikuli means a bindi worn by women. Tikuli paintings celebrate wedding scenes, Bihari festivals and also Lord Krishna’s life. 


Table decorations

Boring tables can dim the beauty of your home. To add colours to your dining tables and side tables, the table decor items of Bihar are perfect. Here are a few options you can select.

Terracotta

Since the prehistoric age, the Biharis excelled in terracotta art. Animal figurines, like those of horses, are famous. The pottery and ceramic sculptures of terracotta craft can be some great table decors for your home. 

Stonework

The best example for the artistic skills of Biharis is the Ashoka pillar at Sarnath. The beautiful stone works of Bihari artists are the tables and fountains. You can buy these artworks as they blend well with any home decor. They surely make for an excellent collection. 

bihar papier mache
Bihar papier-mache from dollsofindia

Papier-mache

Papier mache is one of the ancient crafts of Bihar. Earlier different masks for dance forms were prepared using papier mache. You can easily make papier mache decors with the items available in your home. And here’s a bonus tip to add fragrance to these items – you can use natural elements like Multani mitti and tulsi. 


Home linen

Home linen is another particular art skill of Biharis. Do you know, home linens of Bihar are famous worldwide.? Some of the outstanding home linen of the state include;

Sujani embroidery

The Sujani embroidery comes with simple stitches and cloth sewn on a readymade material. Rural women practice this ancient artwork. You can get the productions of Sujani embroidery such as bedsheets, cushions, wall hangings.

Khatwa applique

Bihar handloom is popular for the Khatwa applique work. This artwork involves attaching a fabric cut piece to another in an artistic manner. The designs are truly intricate and alluring. You can purchase the Katwa Table cloths, garments, and many other fabrics for your home. 

Silk Tussar

Do you know Bihar produces 66% of Indian Tussar? Yes, the famous Tussar silk sarees and other clothing come from here. And you must be knowing – Tussar is the queen of silks. The elegantly weaved Tussar silk sarees are a great addition to your wardrobe. Moreso, it is a fantastic choice for light, flowy curtains and padded cushion covers.

tussar-silk bihar
Tussar silk from Bihar

Home accessories

Bihar also produces some fantastic handcrafted home decor accessories, a few of them include;

Cane and bamboo decor items

The skilled artisans of Bihar produce creatively designed intricate decor items made of bamboo and cane. Baskets, mats, household wares, furniture are a few to name. 

Sikki craft

Sikki is a gold-toned grass. The Sikki art of Bihar involves weaving boxes, pieces of jewellery, murals from this grass. The artisans then paint them with beautiful colours. These products are biodegradable and organic. You can add these small craft items to your living room and your bedrooms. The colourful cane craft can add a splash of ethnic richness to the decor. 

bihar cane craft pinterest
Bihar cane craft from Pinterest

Wooden toys

Wood carving is another ancient and famous art of the state. The local artisans produce wooden toys. They also create alluring Wooden tabletops, wall plaques, pens, and other wooden carved items.