Celebrating Bihar’s Artistic Heritage at the Indian Consulate in New York

Richa Rashmi

3/25/20251 min read

I am deeply honored to have showcased my artwork at the Indian Consulate in New York for the Bihar Diwas celebration on March 22, 2025. This event, organized in partnership with Bihar Foundation and the Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America (BJANA), was a vibrant tribute to Bihar’s rich cultural heritage, highlighting its tourism, art, cuisine, and traditions.

It was a privilege to engage in insightful discussions about my creative process and artistic vision with Consul General Binaya Srikanta Pradhan and Deputy Consul General Vishal Harsh, whose appreciation and encouragement of my work truly meant a lot. I am also deeply grateful to Alok Kumar, Chairman of Bihar Foundation, for his unwavering support and for providing this incredible platform to celebrate our culture through art.

The event was made even more special as it honored the legendary Padma Bhushan Sharda Sinha, whose soulful renditions have preserved and popularized Bhojpuri, Maithili, and Magahi folk music for decades. It was inspiring to witness this tribute to her contributions to Bihar’s musical heritage.

Additionally, the Bihar Vishwa Gaurav Samman Awards recognized the remarkable contributions of distinguished community leaders Dr. Prakash Jha, Dr. Abhishek Tiwary, Sharad Kumar, and Mahesh Kumar. Their stories and reflections on their journeys added a profound depth to the evening’s celebrations.

This year also marked the 50-year jubilee of BJANA, celebrating its decades-long efforts in fostering a strong and vibrant diaspora. The sense of community and shared cultural pride was palpable throughout the event, making it a truly memorable experience.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to showcase my artwork in such an esteemed setting and to be part of this grand celebration of Bihar’s artistic and cultural legacy. The encouragement and appreciation I received fuel my passion to continue sharing Bihar’s artistic traditions with the world.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended and supported this event—your encouragement inspires me to keep creating!