Information and public relations minister Brishen Patel (left) releases the documentary films with the department’s secretary, Rajesh Bhushan, at Soochana Bhavan in Patna on Tuesday. Picture by Ashok Sinha

Citizens could soon brush up on their knowledge of the state’s art and culture, heritage and tradition, courtesy an effort of the information and public relations department.

The department on Tuesday released 21 documentary films it had made in the last fiscal. The films have been made to promote the traditions and culture of Bihar.

The subjects selected for the documentaries range from art to heritage sites, from services to individuals, all mostly from Patna. Bihar ka Paramparagat Vivah Geet (traditional marriage songs of Bihar) is one of the films that deal with the state’s culture.

Among the remaining 20 films are Bihar ka Innovative Minds, Bhitiharwa Ashram (Champaran mein Gandhi), Dev ka Surya Mandir, Patthar ki Masjid evam Darbhanga House, Golghar, Gandhi Maidan, Sikandar Manzil, Rani Ghat evam Gandhi Ghat, Mariam Manzil, Patna Sangrahalaya, Kumhrar, Agamkuan, Kamaldah Jain Mandir, Nawab Shaheed ka Makbara, Padri ki Haveli, Upendra Maharathi Institute, Khuda Bakhsh Library, Bhagalpur ka Manjusha Painting, Lahti Udyog (Muzaffarpur) and Sewa ka Adhikar (RTS).

Principal secretary of the information and public relations department Rajesh Bhushan said Bihar ka Innovative Minds deals with 10 individuals, including Anand of Super 30 and Irfan of Samman Foundation.

Mariam Manzil deals with a Patna-based barrister, Imam Ali, who built a memorial for his wife, Mariam, at Anisabad Mor.

Bhushan, who would soon be relieved for central deputation, said at the event: “We will ensure that the efforts to promote the state’s culture and traditions are continued and people get to see such films in the future as well. We have tried to touch many aspects of Bihar in the 21 documentary films.”

He added: “The documentary on the traditional marriage songs of Bihar has touched upon songs in Maithili, Bhojpuri, Angika and other languages. People have started forgetting about these and this is our effort to make them remember their traditions.”

Releasing the films, information and public relations minister Brishen Patel said: “The documentary films are an effort to make people more aware of their heritage and culture. People are forgetting it and we want to ensure they do not. Some of the documentary films also comprise institutes and places which are not known to many till date.”