Angika (also known as Anga, Angikar or Chhika-Chhiki) is an Eastern Indo-Aryan language spoken in some parts of the Indian states of Bihar and Jharkhand, as well as in parts of Nepal.
Angika is closely related to neighbouring Indic languages such as Maithili, Bengali, Bhojpuri and Magahi. Historically it was written in a separate script known as ‘Anga Lipi’. Later writers shifted to Kaithi Script and eventually to Devanagari Script.
Relationship to Maithili
Angika was classified as a dialect of Maithili by George Abraham Grierson in the Linguistic Survey of India (1903). However, the Angika speakers now assert its status as an independent language. When the proponents of the Maithili language in Bihar demanded use of Maithili-medium primary education in the early 20th century, the people of the Angika-speaking region did not support them, and instead favoured Hindi-medium education. In the 1960s and the 1970s, when the Maithili speakers demanded a separate Mithila state, the Angika and Bajjika speakers made counter-demands for recognition of their languages.
Maithili proponents believe that the Government of Bihar and the pro-Hindi Bihar Rashtrabhasha Parishad promoted Angika and Bajjika as distinct languages to weaken the Maithili language movement; many of them still consider Angika to be a dialect of Maithili. People from mainly Maithil Brahmins and Karan Kayasthas castes have supported the Maithili movement, while people from various other castes in the Mithila region have projected Angika and Bajjika as their mother tongues, attempting to break away from the Maithili-based regional identity.
Official status
Angika is not listed in the 8th schedule of the constitution of India.
Angika has the status of “Second State language” in the Indian state of Jharkhand since 2018. It shares this status with 15 other languages, including Maithili.
Anga region
Angika is mainly spoken in south-eastern Bihar, including most of Munger, the whole of Bhagalpur division and some south eastern parts of Purnia division along with the Santhal Pargana division of Jharkhand. Its speakers number around 15 million people. The region where Angika is spoken is popularly known as Anga, Ang Pradesh and Angika-Belt. Apart from Bihar and Jharkhand states of India, it is also spoken in the Morang district of Nepalese Terai as a minority language. 1.9% people of Morang returned Angika as their mother tongue during the 2011 Nepal census.
Angika culture
Festival
Festivals are the core part cultural part of the community. Anga celebrates the festivals of all daith with great enthusiasm and zeal. However, Manasa Puja (Based on Behula Vishahari folklore) and Kali Puja are the two intangible cultural heritage of the region. Apart from these, Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja, Chhath Puja, Biswakarma Puja, Basanti Puja, Holi, Guru Poornima and Eid too hold a great significance for the region.
- Manasa Puja (Bihula-Vishari Puja)
Manasa Puja is the folk festival In Bihar’s Ang region. It is the biggest festival of Anga. Champapuri the capital of Ang Pradesh is the main temple of Maa Vishari. Maa Manasa is regarded as Goddess of Serpants. Even today, the tradition of Manasa (Bihula-Vishhari) Puja, which has been going on since mythological times, continues. Mata Mansa is worshiped in Bihula-Vishhari. Maa Mansa is said to be the daughter of Shiva and the sister of Vasuki sitting as a garland around Mahadev’s neck. Mythological beliefs of Bihula Vishhari story of Champanagar of Ang Pradesh are spread everywhere. Its facts are also found in the remains of Vikramshila even two historical idols of Maa Manasa have been found from the ruins.
- Kali Puja
Anga is famous for the way of its Kali Puja Celebration which is one of the most celebrated festivals of the whole region. Together with Manasa Puja, it is intangible cultural heritage festival of Anga.
- Chhath Puja
As per Legends, Chhath Puja stems from the early Vedic period, where sages would fast for days and perform the puja with mantras from Rigveda. It is believed that Chhath Puja was also performed by Karna, the son of Lord Surya and the King of Anga. It is therefore celebrated in every region of Bihar with full enthusiasm and is termed as Mahaparv for Biharis.It is very popular festival in the Anga region
Angika Cuisine
Angika Cuisine or Cuisine of Ang Pradesh, predominantly consumed in the Anga region, is characterised by the use of mustard oil, fish, and bamboo shoots. The famous Bihari Fish Curry and Sarse Baingan (a mustard preparation of eggplant) are beloved Angika delicacies. Other Angika cuisines are Ghugni-Mudi, Thekua.
Manjusha Art
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Manjusha Art is an Indian art form. They are temple-shaped boxes comprising eight pillars. They are made of bamboo, jute, and paper. They also contain paintings of Hindu gods and goddesses and other characters. These boxes are used in Bishahari puja, a festival dedicated to Goddess Bishari that is celebrated in Bhagalpur, Munger and entire Anga Region of Bihar, India.
Music and Drama
Music and drama plays a crucial role in Ang Culture, although it is not so famous but is a daily part of lifestyle in Anga Region. There is also a Music Industry and film industry Angika Music Industry and Angika Film Industry which provides regional music and films based on good story-lines. Sharda Sinha, a famous folk singer of Bihar has covered more than 1500 songs in all Bihari languages including Angika. During The 2023 Shravani Mela visit in Sultanganj, Another Angika Folk-Singer Chhaila Bihari stated that he will fight for the rights of Angika folksingers who are not getting the respect and platform that they deserve. Ang Mahotsav, a cultural festival of Music and Drama is held every year in The Anga Region and is a good platform to promote Angika.