Bihar Biennale, a captivating art exhibition featuring a rich tapestry of art and culture from 29 countries, has taken centre stage at the Bihar Museum in India. The exhibition kicked off on August 7 and will run until October 8.

Organised under the theme ‘Together We Art,’ the biennale is a part of the G20 initiative. Its overarching theme, ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbhakam’ or ‘The World Is One Family’, resonates with the ethos of unity and global interconnectedness, drawing inspiration from the Maha Upanishad (a sacred Hindu scripture).

Inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar, the Biennale is a pioneering endeavour aimed at providing a platform for museums, artists and individuals working in the museum industry—bringing together individuals from India, Nepal, Thailand, Panama, Costa Rica, Italy, and Russia.

The opening ceremony of the Biennale was a splendid affair that showcased the diverse folk arts of Bihar and unveiled the ‘Together We Art’ exhibition featuring works from G20 members and guest countries, along with pieces by senior contemporary Indian artists. Furthermore, the event marked the launch of the ‘Nepal: Where the Gods Reside’ catalogue by the Nepal Art Council, which features 205 artworks by 68 Nepali artists and several other museum publications. A central attraction of the exhibit is the vibrant Pancha Buddha and Ashta Mangala Mandala.

This year, the Nepal Art Council was invited to the event as a distinguished guest country and was given an expansive 4,000 sq ft gallery space to display Nepali artworks.

Kumar was welcomed to the Nepal Gallery by Sagar SJB Rana, president of the Nepal Art Council, where he engaged keenly with the artworks and was enlightened by Curator Swosti Rajbhandari Kayastha. To commemorate the occasion, he received a limited-edition print of Padmapani Lokesvara, crafted by eminent paubha artist and the Director of Nepal Art Council, Lok Chitrakar.

The Bihar Museum Biennale stands as a testament to the power of art in fostering global connections and celebrating cultural diversity. As visitors explore this remarkable exhibition, they traverse borders and experience the unity that art can inspire across the world.