The changing seasons of Bihar and Jharkhand – and the festivals, food, music and traditions that accompany them – came alive in Singapore as the BiJhar association celebrated its 20th anniversary with Cultural Confluence 2026.
Held at the Civil Service Club on Tessensohn Road on Aug 23, the event drew around 200 guests for an evening themed “Ritu Chakra – The Cycle of Seasons”.
Rather than presenting a conventional sequence of songs and dances, the organisers wanted to weave Bihar and Jharkhand’s festivals, agriculture, rituals, food and folk traditions into a single narrative.
Artistes from the Shrishti Foundation in Darbhanga, a city in Bihar, led by Guru Jay Prakash Pathak, took the audience on a dance-musical journey through the year, presenting traditions associated with Makar Sankranti, Satuani, Phagua, Shravan, Karma, Jitiya, Kojagara, Chhath, Sama-Chakeva, and Agharani.
“The message was simple: In Bihar and Jharkhand, the seasons do not merely change – every season becomes a celebration,” said Bijhar president Shiwani Khirwal.
The cultural journey extended beyond the stage. A Ritu Chakra Art Gallery, seasonal food displays, folk-inspired visuals and handcrafted souvenirs gave visitors a wider introduction to the region’s heritage.
Traditional preparations and ingredients including Dahi-Chura, Tilkut, Sattu, jaggery, grains and seasonal produce, were displayed, highlighting the close relationship between food, agriculture and festivals. The programme also featured Jatayu Moksha, an Odissi presentation inspired by the Ramayana.
One particularly encouraging aspect for the organisers was the response from younger Singapore-born members.
“The younger generation is not necessarily moving away from tradition; we need to present tradition in ways that they can see, experience and connect with,” said Ms Shiwani.
For BiJhar, such events serve as an “educational and emotional bridge” between generations, particularly for children whose understanding of Bihar and Jharkhand may come largely through their parents and grandparents.
Adding significance to the evening was the presence of the United States’ Ambassador to Singapore Anjani Sinha, whose roots are in Bihar.
The organisers said his presence generated considerable pride within the community and offered younger members an example of how cultural identity and global ambition could comfortably coexist.
“His journey carried a powerful message: Our roots can remain a source of identity and confidence, even as our professional and personal journeys take us around the world,” said the organising committee chairman Anjani Kumar Choudhary.
That message was especially fitting as BiJhar marked two decades in Singapore.
The organisation sees itself not simply as a platform for preserving regional traditions but as part of Singapore’s broader multicultural landscape. Besides Cultural Confluence, it organises Chhath Puja, seasonal celebrations, youth activities, community gatherings and social initiatives.
Looking ahead, BiJhar plans greater youth engagement, cultural documentation and exchanges, while creating more opportunities for artistes and artisans from Bihar and Jharkhand.
As Ms Shiwani put it, the organisation’s aim is to remain a cultural bridge – “connecting Bihar and Jharkhand with Singapore, connecting our community with the wider society, and most importantly, connecting one generation with the next.”
