In Pictures: ‘The Sorrow Of Bihar’ Is Not Always Sad

Life of the villages of Saharsa, Bihar, captured by a local photojournalist.

Residents of Birwar village is Saharsa, Bihar, leaving their village during the annual flood in Kosi. (Photo: Ajay Kumar)

Kosi river, that enters Bihar through Bhim Nagar from Nepal, is known as the ‘Sorrow of Bihar’. The river floods annually, destroying thousands of kilometres of agricultural land and disturbing the rural economy.

But life goes on after all the decay and destruction. Here are some pictures taken in the villages of Saharsa district of Bihar. Pictures that reflect the celebration of life over death.

In Madhukarpatti village of Sonpura panchayat, a woman boils Paddy to cook rice for the family. (Photo: Ajay Kumar)

Children of Sitnabad panchayat catching fish in the lowlands of Sonpura canal. (Photo: Ajay Kumar)

People in the rural areas of Saharsa hang this effigy to keep evil spirits away from their newly built house. (Photo: Ajay Kumar)

A girl enjoying on a swing in the lowlands of Amarpur canal. (Photo: Ajay Kumar)

In Gopalpur Village of Baghva Panchayat, a girl cooking food in the kitchen of a joint family. (Photo: Ajay Kumar)

Children playing in a pond behind a school in Kantho village. (Photo: Ajay Kumar)

People gathered to burn an effigy of Demon king Ravana in Khadagpur village.(Photo: Ajay Kumar)

In Saroja village, A graduation student Sujata teaching kids to earn her collage fees.(Photo: Ajay Kumar)

Pipara-Bageva village, during Kosi floods. (Photo: Ajay Kumar)

Rural meson’s mending a broken roof in Sonpura village.(Photo: Ajay Kumar)