Tikuli Art is a unique craft from Bihar. It has a rich and deep traditional history. The word "tikuli" is another term for "bindi." A bindi is usually a shiny, colorful dot that women wear on their foreheads.
In the past, the bindi showed respect for judgment skills and helped women be discreet. Today, Tikuli craftsmanship strengthens the women of Bihar.
Tikuli craftsmanship began in Patna over 800 years ago. It features clear canvases made by local artisans on the city's streets. The tikuli art form attracts dealers from all over the country to Patna for bulk deals. The Mughals supported craftsmanship and appreciated its many striking features.
Understanding Tikuli Art
Tikuli craftsmanship is a conventional shape of portrayal that began in Bihar. The title "Tikuli" comes from the Hindi word "tikli." It means a bindi, which is the decorative dot that women in India wear on their foreheads. The craftsmanship frame showcases the fine details of this embellishment in small depictions. It’s often made on hardboard, glass, or wood.
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Tikuli canvases started as small, round pieces of glass or metal. They were used as decorative bindis. Over time, the brand added divider hangings, plates, coasters, and decorative boxes. It did this while keeping its signature vibrancy and precision.
Historical Roots of Tikuli Art: Ancient Illustrious Patronage
Tikuli craftsmanship began in the Mauryan period. Artisans were asked to come to royal courts. They made decorative bindis for rulers and noblewomen. The plans were puzzling but showed great skill. They used simple colors and fine brushes.
Medieval Expansion
During the Mughal period, Tikuli plans became richer. They combined Persian themes with Indian topics. Artisans began experimenting with gold techniques and finishing styles. This made their artwork a luxury for the elite.
Decline Amid Industrialization
By the late 19th century, factory-made bindis led to a decline in Tikuli craftsmanship. Many artisans left their craft for other jobs, and the tradition faded.
Tikuli Craftsmanship as a Social Ambassador
Tikuli craftsmanship speaks to Bihar’s wealthy creative convention on the worldwide stage. Its complicated storytelling and craftsmanship bridge the gap between past and present. Universal buyers see Tikuli as a mix of Indian craftsmanship and modern needs. This makes it an important trade item.
This is an uncommon claim to fame of Bihar, and no such work is found somewhere else. It’s quite complex and detailed, so it needs a unique skill set. Tikuli craftsmanship is expensive. Its value directly reflects the quality of the work.
As the Mughal Empire declined, the British Raj emerged. During this time, Tikuli craftsmanship faced many challenges. The British led industrialization. Soon, handmade goods were replaced by cheap machine-made items. Thousands of Tikuli specialists lost their jobs when machine-made bindis took over the market. As a result, Tikuli craftsmanship faded away in the chaos.
The restoration of this craftsmanship shape can only be ascribed to two specialists. In 1954, Chitracharya Padmashree Upendra Maharathi set out to restore this fading art form on his own.
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Artist and expert Shree Ashok Kumar Biswas elevated Tikuli craftsmanship to a modern level. He, along with his spouse Shibani Biswas, restored the craftsmanship and created it into a source of business.
Tikuli craftsmanship presently serves as an financial recipient for over 300 ladies in Bihar. The Biswases’ efforts and the skills of these women are widely praised. In 2012, Ashok was chosen to take an interest in the Bihar Divas Celebrations organized in Delhi and Jaipur.
He also explained the subtle craftsmanship of Tikuli to guests at the Global Fair in Seoul. Making Tikuli craftsmanship is a sensitive and repetitive process. Basically put, one can divide it into three steps:
Tikuli specialists use hardboard to make canvases. They cut the hardboard into different shapes, like circular, rectangular, triangular, or square.
The specialists apply 4-5 coats of finish from there on the cut wooden piece. After each coat, they rub the wood with sandpaper, thus giving it a clean surface.
After the last coat of finish, the artisans paint the plan. It is too adorned with gold thread and jewels. Tikuli craftsmanship, moreover, employs Madhubani themes in its paintings.
Spring and summer are the best times for this craft. The process needs dry air at room temperature because of the finish paints used. Specialists use squirrel or sable hair for the brushes. The sizes range from 0.0 to 20.
Tikuli craftsmanship is better known as a trade than as a social art form. The point of the items is to grandstand Indian culture to the rest of the world. The topics mainly focus on celebrations in Bihar, Indian wedding scenes, and Krishna Leela.
Conclusion
Bihar's Tikuli craftsmanship showcases India's rich heritage. Its delicate, colorful, and deeply traditional. From old courts to modern studios, it has journeyed through time. It adapts to social changes but keeps its unique charm.
Today, artisans are rethinking Tikuli to fit modern life. It not only survives but thrives, showing the world Bihar’s creative spirit. Supporting this craftsmanship means protecting history. It also ensures that its intricate beauty continues to inspire future generations.
