The official languages in Bihar are Urdu and Hindi. However Bhojpuri and Magadhi are widely spoken. Hindi is the first official language of the state and Urdu the second. Maithili has been recognized as a different language that is written with the help of the Devanagari script.
Bihar is home to scores of scholars and writers and some of them are R.K. Sinha, Dr. Bhagwati Sharan Mishra, Mahamahopadhyaya Pandit Ram Avatar Sharma, Raja Radhika Raman Singh, Phanishwar Nath ‘Renu’, Ram Briksh Benipuri, Mridula Singh and Gopal Singh. Hrishikesh Sulabh is a prominent writer in modern literature and is also a playwright, theatre critic and short story writer. Upamanyu Chatterjee is a famous English writer and hails from Patna. The Mithila region in Bihar practices the Madhubani painting style. This form of painting is traditionally done over fresh plastered mud walls. The paintings glorify Hindu religion and its deities. Some paintings also depict the moon, sun and the religious plant Tulasi. Manjusha Kala is a form of art practiced in the anga region in Bihar. The Patna School of Painting has branched out from the famous Mughal Painting School, where artists and painters from the Mughal era found refuge.
Craftsmanship is wonderful in Bihar and the artisans build wonderful products out of meager resources. Bhagalpur in Bihar is famous for its silk yarn manufacture, sericulture and weavers and has some of the most skilled workers. Bihar has many stalwarts who are an integral part in the fabric of Indian classical music. Dhrupad is a renowned form of music and has stalwarts such as the Mishras, the Malliks of different Gharanas. Gaya was the centre in musical expertise in the ancient era. Pandit Jasraj and Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan are some of the most known musicians.
Daal, Roti, Khichdi, Litti and Chokha are some of the famous dishes in Bihar. Sweet dishes include Chena Murki, Belgrami, Anarasa, Kesari Peda, Khurma, Mal Pua and Tekua to name some. Chhath is a major festival in Bihar. The Shravani Mela is also one of the most celebrated rituals here. Chitragupt Puja and Teej are celebrated with much aplomb.
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