Magahi People

The culture of Magadh is rich with its distinct language, folk songs and festivals. In ancient period it was known as Magadha mahajanpada. The present-day Magadh region split between the states of Bihar and Jharkhand in India. The major language of the region is Magahi.

Language

The Magahi language is mainly spoken in south Bihar and parts of Jharkhand. It is in the Bihari group of Indo-Aryan languages. Around 12 million people speak Magahi as an native language according to the 2011 census of India. It is spoken in eleven districts of Bihar ( Gaya, Patna, Jehanabad, Aurangabad, Nalanda, Nawada, Sheikhpura, Arwal, Lakhisarai, Jamui and some parts of Banka), and in eleven districts of Jharkhand ( Hazaribag, Palamu, Garhwa, Deoghar, Chatra, Koderma, Jamtara, Bokaro, Dhanbad, Giridih, Palamu).

The peoples of Bihar speak the Magahi dialect and the peoples of Jharkhand speaks the Khortha dialect of Magadhi language

Culture

Magahi culture refers to culture of Magadh. The culture of Magadh has been rich since ancient times and the land has produced many important personalities who contributed to India's development. The land has been the epicenter of various religious and political movements since ancient times. Buddha and Mahavira reached enlightenment on this land and moved around the neighboring places for their religious preaching. Buddha advocated ‘The Middle Path’ for his disciples. He talked of Ashtangika-marga for attaining nirvana, which is liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Mahavira advocated rigorous asceticism for his disciples. Both Buddhism and Jainism stood for the reason of truth and non-violence. Sikhism also has roots in Magadh; Sikh's tenth Guru, Guru Govind Singh, was born on this land.

In the nineteenth century, during the struggle for independence against the British, Patna became the centre for Wahabi movement. This movement was led by Sayyed Ahmed Shahid. It was both a political and religious movement. The movement was aimed towards reforming Islam. But, in order to achieve this, reformers thought that independence from the British was a must, thus they also acted against the British.

Arts

Magadh has contributed a lot to the Indian culture. Mauryan art is the first imperial art in India. Ashokan pillars are unique and their incredible ‘finish’ is the pride of Indian Architecture. These pillars are carved out of a single rock. These rock pillars are polished in such a fashion that they appear to be made of metal. Such polishing is striking example of Mauryan art and the technique vanished after Ashoka. A Pillar at Sarnath is one of the Ashoka's pillars. The four lions carved on the top of the pillar are chosen as the national symbol of independent India. There is Iranian influence on
Mauryan art. In Indian history, Ashoka was first to use inscriptions for spreading his messages. He followed the tradition of inscriptions from Iran. The tradition of rock-cut caves in India begun with the Mauryas. Rock-cut caves in the Barabar and Nagarjuni hills in Gaya are examples from Mauryan period. These were excavated by Ashoka and his grandson Dasaratha for the abode of Ajivika monks. A glimpse of the folk art of the period can be seen in the Yaksha and Yakshani figures found from Mathura, Pawa, and Patna. The Yakshini statue from Didarganj, near Patna is the most famous one and shows Mauryan polish.

Religion

Gupta's contributions to the Indian culture are also remarkable. Hinduism reemerged in the form of Shaktism(most prominent sect of Magadha), Saurya sect(now got completely merged with Shaktism), Shaivism(Shaivism have great significance in Magadha mainly the newly emerged movement of Shiv Charcha is growing fastly and Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga is also too much important for Magadhi peoples), While Vaishnavism is not much famous but sites like Vishnupad temple shows its influence in history.

Hinduism was also influenced by Buddhism. Under this influence Vaishnavism imbibed Buddha as one of the incarnations of Vishnu.

Sculptures and temples of Gupta period are milestones in the field of art. Guptas were first to use dressed stone for temple construction. Before this, temples were made of wood or other perishable material.

Gupta period is known as the "classical period" in the genre of sculpture as they were a combination of spirituality and idealism into art. This
combination gets reflected in the images of Vishnu, in Dasavtara Temple at Deogarh. The seated Buddha from Sarnath and standing Buddha from Mathura represent fully developed form of Buddhist art. Their radiant spiritual expression carved with grace and refinement makes them masterpieces (Lal ed. 2002). Paintings at Ajanta and Ellora caves were made during Gupta period.

Jainism was also born in Magadha as last Tirthankar, Mahaveer Jain were born in Magadh, and it's also believed that almost 20 Tirthankars got enlightenment in magadha (Sammed shikharji and Pavapuri).

Last and 10th guru of Sikhism, Guru Gobind Singh ji was born in Patna (Patna Sahib) that's why Magadha also have great significance in Sikhism.

Tribal beliefs are also present as many tribes like Munda, Oraon and Santhali live in high number in Magadh region of Jharkhand and also in some parts of Bihar. Even many Hindus worship pre-vedic or Tribal deities like Sokha Baba, Bir Kuar Baba, Dihvar baba etc.

Literature

Arthashastra, written by Chanakya, is an important literature of the period for understanding politics and administration in general.
Aryabhata, an outstanding scholar of the Gupta age, lived at Kusumpura, near Patna. He wrote Aryabhattiya, which talks about geometry. He was first to use decimal and thus gave a new dimension to
mathematics. He was first to give right reasons behind eclipses. Aryabhata was first to utilize sine functions in
astronomy. This age contributed Puranas and Smiritis to the Hindu literature. Kavyas such as Meghduta, Raguvansa and Kumarsambhava, dramas such as Abhijnashakuntalam, Mudrarakshasa and Devichandragupta are contribution of Gupta period to Indian literature (Lal ed. 2002). Guptas established many Universities for promoting education. Nalanda University was one of them. It was famous for education in religion and philosophy. Students from all over India, China, Tibet, Indonesia and Sri Lanka used to come here for studies. The famous Chinese pilgrim Hiuen-Tsang studied at Nalanda University. Hiuen-Tsang mentioned the glory of Nalanda University in his book Si-yu-ki. I-tsing stayed at Nalanda for ten years. He translated many Sanskrit manuscripts into Chinese.

Festivals

Chhath is an important festival of Magadhi people. Other important festivals are Durga puja, Fagua(Holi), Sarswati puja, Teej, Jitiya, Gaiya dardh/Sohrai, Godhan Kutai, Karma Puja, Anat puja, Deepavali(Lachhmi puja), Chaiti Chhath, Jethaan puja/ Tulsi vivah, Bar puja/Vat savitri vrat, Dussehra, chaiti Navami pujai, Ashin Navami Pujai, Savan satami pujai, Ganga Snan, Satuaan, Til Sakraat, Vishwakarma puja, Chaiti Navrat and Magadhi new year(Holi or Fagua), Gungi snan, Pitra Paksh, Chaiti Durga puja,

Music and dance

Folk songs and folk dance are an important aspect of Magadh culture. Folk songs like Phaag and Chaita are sung all over Bihar. While Phaag are sung in the month of Phalgun, Chaita are sung in the month of Chait. Rajashah of Patna is a famous name in the field of Indian classical music. He has not only reclassified the Indian Ragas but also discovered a new musical instrument called ‘Thaat’. Rajashah also authored a book ‘Nagmat Ashfi’ on Indian music. Folk music of Bihar reflects the culture of its day-to-day life. Sanskaar geet like Sohar, Khilona, Khobar, Sumaangali, are sung at various occasions like birth, moondan, marriage etc. There are different kinds of songs for each kind of festival celebrated in the rregion. Jhumar, Jatsaar, Samdaun(vidai geet), Domakch/Damkach, Pachraa, Saanjh, Deepavali geet( geet sung by women on dipavali for calling prosperity in house), Chhath geet, Paraat geet, Ropani-pavariha geet(sometimes known as only "Ropani geet" Shiv Charcha, Jharni geet(sung by Muslims during Muharram) and many types of songs sung during wedding rituals like Matkod geet, Bidai geet, Bhatwaan geet, Kanyadaan geet etc are also integral part of Magadhi culture, performed on various occasions.

Various folk dances performed by local people in the area are: Dhobia Nritya, Karia, Jhumar, Jharni Nritya, Jat-Jatin, Domkach. These dances are based on different religious, historical and social significance.

Cinema

Many movies also reflect the culture of Magadh. In the movie 'Abhijan', which was directed by Satyajit Ray, the actress Waheeda Rehman delivered her dialogues in Magahi.

Bhaiyaa was the first film with sound in the cinema of Bihar which was made in Magahi language and released in 1961 directed by Phani Majumdar. Other famous Magahi films are 'More Man Mitwa' directed by Girish Ranjan, Devan Mishri and Handover.

Painting

In the genre of painting, Magadh is known for its 'Patna Kalam Shaili'. The influence of both Mughals and British are found on the paintings of this school. Along with carrying these influences, this school has developed its own local features which make them unique. The famous painters of this school are Sevak Ram, Hulas Lal, Jayram Das and Shivdayal Lal.

In folk paintings Kohbar painting is most important in Magadhi culture, generally it's created on wedding. In Jharkhand (North part/Magadh) similar type of painting is famous called Sohrai-Kohbar painting it's also created during wedding and on the festival of Sohrai/Gaiya daardh. It achieved GI Tag in 2020.

Tikuli art is also a famous art of Magadh. It was originated in Patna around 800-1000 years ago. The word tikuli means "Bindi" in Magadhi(Magahi/Khortha) Language. This art have themes like Radhe shyam, Shiv and Parvati ji, sometimes animals could be part of it. During mughal period Tikuli art was generally carved on mirror but now it's also created on clothes and canvas.

Sujani art was originated in bhusura village of Arwal district of Magadh region during early 18th century, which got famous in whole Magadh region of Bihar and Jharkhand with time. Originally it was created on pillow and bedsheet of newborns, that's why it's called Sujani which means "auspiciouslly born". But during 19th century it became more famous and it became a tradition that every girl have to make Sujani embroidery on Pardah or Bedsheet or on canvas oranywhere to bring it to house of in laws. Sujani art achieved GI tag in 2006

Sohrai painting is painted during Sohrai festival. As during Deepavali there is a tradition of cleaning and decorating home so, peoples of Magadh celebrates Sohrai festival next day if Deepavali and to decorate homes they make Soharai painting on walls. It's history is traced bask to 7000BCE. them paitnings like Bhim betka are comsidered its origin. It aĺso got GI tag in 2020.

Khatwa embroidery and art is a art emerged from Patna.It's carved out on tents, saree, bedsheet.

Folk ballads

Despite "lacking literature", Magahi language contains an oral repertoire of folksongs and ballads, some of their subject matter also known to the northern part of India. The ballads are sung by folk singers and bards, and tend to vary between each telling. Among the more famous ballads of the Magahi repertoire, there are ''Song of Gopichandra'' and the ''Song of Lorik'', the latter also known as ''Lorikayan'' or ''Lorikayana''.

Notable people

* Ram Lakhan Singh Yadav, freedom fighter & educationist
*Satyendra Narayan Sinha, freedom fighter
*Nitish Kumar, chief minister of Bihar
* Mathura Prasad Naveen, poet

References

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Further reading

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{{Bihar

Indian culture by community
Magadh division