artform of the month

Sohrai

Sohrai art is an ancient ritualistic art form originating from Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, with roots tracing back to prehistoric cave paintings. Practiced exclusively by tribal women—including the Munda, Santhal, and Oraon communities—its motifs are passed down orally across generations. Painted on mud walls during the post-Diwali harvest festival, these murals serve as visual prayers of gratitude to nature and cattle. Artists use an eco-friendly earth palette of local soils—red ochre (geru), manganese, yellow earth, and white clay (charak)—applied freehand with chewed twigs (datun), cloth swabs, or fingers. The visual style features bold geometric patterns, sweeping curves, and thick outlines depicting animals, birds, and flora that symbolize fertility and abundance. Awarded a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2019, Sohrai art has expanded beyond mud walls onto canvas, paper, and handcrafted decor—bringing India's rich tribal heritage into contemporary living spaces.

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