Ashok Kumar Biswas.
– Photo: Amar Ujala
Expansion
Famous artist of Bihar Ashok Kumar Biswas has received the Padmashree award. Ashok Kumar Biswas revived this old Tikuli art of Bihar during the Maurya period and gave it recognition not only in India but in the world. Today he has trained about 8000 women. He had nine students who have received awards at the state level. During a conversation with Amar Ujala, Ashok Kumar Biswas said that he congratulated the Central Government for giving the Padmashree award. He also thanked the Nitish government of Bihar. On behalf of the Bihar government, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar congratulated and congratulated Ashok Kumar Biswas on the announcement of being honored with the Padma Shri award. Said that it is a matter of pride for Bihar for Ashok Kumar Biswas to receive Padmashree award for his important contribution in the field of art.
Got a lot of support from family too
Ashok Kumar Biswas said that this position was achieved after a long struggle and hard work. Got a lot of support from wife Shivani and family. Due to shortage of money the financial condition had also become very bad. The Ministry of Textiles, Government of India appealed to promote Tikuli art. From 1993, he traveled from village to village from Digha to Danapur and imparted training in Tikuli art. Ashok Kumar Biswas said that till now he has given training to eight thousand women. His small room in Nasriganj village, about 12 kilometers from Patna, is his training centre. It is here that women from across the state learn the techniques of Tikuli art from Biswas and then use it to earn their livelihood.
This art was on the verge of extinction
Ashok Kumar Biswas told that till a few years ago Tikuli art was almost on the verge of extinction. But now it is being revived in the state. Actually, Tikuli art is a fusion of Madhubani art, Patna Kalam art and the art technique traditions of using enamel paint on wood.