Under the popular museum series “Exhibit of the Month” of Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, a traditional object is displayed in the appearance for a whole month. The exhibit for the month of February, 2020 – “Gaanj”, an implement for collecting Gurri (aquatic seeds) from Village Sapt Parvatti Tol, Madhubani, Bihar is on display in the indoor exhibition building – Veethi Sankul.
The “exhibit of the month” has been inaugurated by Dr PK Mishra (Director, IGRMS). On this occasion renowned people were present. This exhibit of the month has been curated by Shrikant Gupta (Museum Associate).
On this occasion, Shrikant Gupta said that, the present ‘Gaanj’ is a traditional implement used by the Mallah fisherman community of Bihar, primarily for collecting Makhana an aquatic seed locally called ‘Gurri’. Collecting of Gurri is an important economic activity of this community. Collected from the Madhubani District of Bihar, ‘Gaanj is a basket-shaped, nearly a cylindrical body with a broad circular opening from the front with the closed and projected rear end.
It can be conveniently dragged into the shallow water by holding it with the right or left hand; allowing the thorny Makhana seeds to enter inside along with muds.
By cleaning muds with water fresh Gurri (seeds) are collected.
Process or technique for the making of Gaanj – ‘Gaanj’ is an implement made of bamboo and cane having a wide and cylindrical hollow body extended to a projected and closed rear end that helps in easeful operation to drag inside the water by holding it with right or left hand.
The exhibit has a typical shape of a horn-like appearance that helps the user in the collection of Makhana seed called ‘Gurri’.