Designer P K Bhatnagar, was quoted in the Times of India as saying “The total cost of the project will be Rs 17 lakh. More than half a dozen artists from Darbhanga will display their work.”

Reports also said initially there were more than 50 tableaus but the selection committee picked up only 19 of them from 14 states for display at Rajpath.

“The proposal to select this craft as the theme for Bihar’s tableau on Republic Day was accepted recently by the selection committee of the ministry of defence,” information and public relations department (IPRD) director of Bihar, Durgesh Nandan, told the daily.

Sikki is a kind of a grass-like weed that grows on the banks of river, especially in the Mithila region. The weeds, collected by village women, are put under the sun to get dried. Thereafter, the dried weeds are twisted into ropes which can be mould into any shape like baskets, bags, hats and even intricate animal, bird and human figures.

These ropes are then made into baskets and other such items. In order to strengthen the baskets, the artisans use strands of the same sikki grasses.

Sikki craft of Bihar are extremely environment friendly and exclusive and are loved by one and all.