The Sama-Chakeva festival of Mithila, Bihar captured through a detailed terracotta installation by National Award-winning artist Rajat Ghosh.
Celebrating the bond between siblings, the festival is rooted in an ancient tale of a brother's sacrifice to save his sister. It spans nine days during the month of Kartik (from Saptami to Purnima) and emphasizes community welfare and moral traditions. Women gather to sing folk songs and carry bamboo baskets containing miniature clay figures. The festival concludes on the full moon with a ritual immersion and a symbolic farewell (Vidayi) for Sama, complete with traditional songs like Samadaon. Rajat Ghosh employs a distinctive terracotta style characterized by unique proportions (larger heads and smaller limbs) and exceptionally expressive facial features, with intricate lines defining the emotions of the characters.The installation depicts the complete narrative ensemble, including- Sama (believed to be the daughter of Lord Krishna), Chakeva, the flute-holding Lord Krishna, the malicious Chugla (tale-bearer), Vrindavan, Satbhaiya (seven sages), highly detailed figures of women carrying the dala (ceremonial baskets) and various birds & trees. The work represents a masterful confluence of sculptural art and folk tradition, bringing the spiritual and emotional essence of Mithila’s heritage into a three-dimensional medium.
