Artists in the state capital on Monday expressed solidarity with the state’s demand to the Centre for special status on a 100m-long canvas.

Sanrachana, a group of visual artists, organised a daylong workshop outside Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir. Patna-based artists and students of College of Arts and Crafts came together to work on a scroll painting, 100-m-long. Few of the noted artists present at the venue included B.K. Gupta, Anil Kumar Sinha, Birendra Kumar Singh and Shyam Sharma.

Although the medium was the same for the artists, some took the opportunity to criticise the Union government for not according the special status to Bihar, while others chose to portray the progress that would come Bihar’s way with the tag.

Birendra Kumar Singh, 41, said: “My painting shows how Bihar would progress if it is accorded special status. I have shown good road connectivity, electricity, big buildings and industries in my painting.”

Professor Shyam Sharma, the former principal of College of Arts and Crafts, Patna, gave a religious touch to his painting. In his artwork, Lord Ganesha held a placard that read “Bihar vishesh rajya bane, kala sanskritika sriganesh ho”.

He said: “At present the art and culture scenario in Bihar is not very good. Artists cannot survive here and have to go to other states. But if Bihar gets the special status tag, the scenario will also improve.”

Artist Anil Kumar Sinha said: “Bihar deserves the special status. I cannot understand why the Union government is not according the status to Bihar when the state fulfils all criteria.”