After getting the Unesco World Heritage Site status for the ancient Nalanda University, the Bihar government will now pitch for Rajgir's "Cyclopean wall" for the coveted tag.
"We got the Unesco World Heritage Site status for the ancient Nalanda University with much difficulty. We will now try to get it for the Cyclopean wall in Rajgir. Such a wall exists in just one more place (Greece) in the world and is thus an important part of our history," chief minister Nitish Kumar said.
Built of massive undressed stones, the remains of the Cyclopean wall suggest that it was around 40-km-long and encircled Rajgir. It was built to provide protection to the ancient settlement. It dates back to the pre-Mauryan era, which means it was built before 3rd century BC. The term comes from the belief of classical Greeks that only the mythical Cyclopes had the strength to move the enormous boulders that made up the walls of Mycenae and Tiryns. Pliny's Natural History reported the tradition attributed to Aristotle, that the Cyclopes were the inventors of masonry towers, giving rise to the designation Cyclopean.
Nitish was speaking at Bihar Kala Divas organised by the art, culture and youth department on Tuesday organised to mark the centenary year of the find of the famous Yakshini statue at Didarganj in Patna. It was discovered on October 18, 1917.
The life-sized sculpture belonging to the Mauryan era (3rd century BC) and made from polished sandstone procured from Chunar in Uttar Pradesh, is considered a benchmark of the beauty of woman, and conforms to the scientific physical standards. It is at present housed in Patna Museum.
Praising the Yakshini, Nitish said though its sculptor is unknown, the statue brought out the talent of the artist and this led the government to celebrate October 18 as Bihar Kala Divas from this year. The day will be dedicated to the artists.
Nitish said art events will be organised throughout the centenary year and a Walk for Bihar will also be organised. Around 25 artists from India and abroad will participate in the event.
"Artists participating in the Walk for Bihar will draw street-art in Patna. Some of which will be based on the life and times of Mahatma Gandhi and Guru Gobind Singh to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Champaran Satyagraha, and the 350th birth anniversary of the 10th Sikh Guru," Nitish said.
He added that a Buddha museum and a stupa will be constructed near the mud-stupa in Vaishali, where the relics of Lord Buddha was found.
Nitish also honoured 42 artists with various awards given by the art, culture and youth department for 2015-16 and 2016-17 on the occasion.
Bihar Kala Puraskar in the national award category was given to artists C.L. Das, Himmat Shah, Vivan Sundaram and Prem Kumar Mallik, while the lifetime achievement award was given to Nagendra Prasad Mohini (posthumous), Baba Dai, Jai Narayan Singh and Shankar Prasad.
