Silk, Song & Soil

Discover the living heritage of Mallabhum, where weavers tell stories in silk and the air hums with the Dhrupad raagas.

"Culture in Bishnupur is not a museum exhibit; it is a way of life. From the rhythmic clatter of the handlooms in the narrow lanes to the evening prayers sung in Dhrupad style, the legacy of the Malla Kings lives on."

Baluchari Saree Weaving Detail
Textile Heritage

The Baluchari Legacy

Originally woven in Murshidabad, the art of Baluchari found a new home in Bishnupur under the patronage of the Malla kings. Today, it is a GI (Geographical Indication) tagged product of West Bengal.

Storytelling in Silk

Unlike other sarees, the magnificent Pallu (end piece) of a Baluchari acts as a canvas. Weavers use complex Jacquard looms to depict entire scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana.

Swarnachari

A luxurious variant where gold or silver threads (zari) are woven into the silk, giving the saree a brilliant, illuminating effect.

Musical Tradition

The Bishnupur Gharana

The only Dhrupad gharana of Bengal, established in the 18th century. It is known for its contemplative and meditative style.

Royal Origins

It began when the famous Dhrupad singer Bahadur Khan, a descendant of Tansen, was brought to the court of Malla King Raghunath Singha II. He trained local musicians, planting the seeds of this unique style.

Jadu Bhatta

One of the most illustrious exponents was Jadunath Bhattacharya (Jadu Bhatta), who later became the music teacher of Rabindranath Tagore. The influence of Bishnupur Gharana is heavily evident in Rabindra Sangeet.

The Style

Unlike other Gharanas that focus on virtuosity, Bishnupur emphasizes layakari (rhythm play) and a simpler, more devotional elaboration of the Raga (Alap).

Earth to Art

Terracotta & The Bankura Horse

In a land without stone, the artisans of Mallabhum turned to the red laterite soil. They baked it into bricks and carved stories onto them.

The Bankura Horse, with its long erect neck and pointed ears, is the most famous example. Originally used for village rituals, it is now the official symbol of Indian handicrafts.

Visit Panchmura

Located 21km from Bishnupur, this is the village of the potters (Kumbhakar) where you can watch the magic of clay unfold on the wheel.

Bankura Horse

Rare & Dying Arts

Dashavatar Cards

Dashavatar Taash

Unique circular playing cards made of stiffened cloth. A pack consists of 120 cards depicting the Ten Avatars of Vishnu. This complex game was patronized by the Malla kings and is now kept alive by a single family in Bishnupur.

Collector's Item

Shankha (Conch) Carving

The Sankharipara area of Bishnupur is famous for intricate carving on conch shells. Artisans create beautiful bangles and decorative pieces, etching mythological figures onto the hard shell surface.

Traditional Craft