State PCS - Jharkhand (JPSC)

• 28 Jul 2025

Sohrai Art Shines at Kala Utsav 2025

Why in News? 

Artists from Jharkhand participated in the 2nd edition of Kala Utsav 2025 – 'Artists in Residence Programme' at Rashtrapati Bhavan, showcasing the indigenous mural tradition of Sohrai Art. 

• Kala Utsav 2025, held from 14^th to 24^th July 2025, was graced by the President of India and celebrated India's living art traditions, offering a platform for folk, tribal, and traditional artists to showcase their work. 

Key Points 

• About: Sohrai Khovar Painting is a traditional indigenous art form practiced by women from various tribal communities in the Hazaribagh region of Jharkhand. These communities include Kurmi, Santhal, Munda, Oraon, Agaria, and Ghatwal tribes. 
  • It is typically created during harvest and festive seasons, where women use natural earth pigments and bamboo brushes to transform mud walls into vibrant depictions of animals, plants, and geometric motifs. 
  • Known as harvest art, it is deeply tied to agriculture and cattle domestication, reflecting the agrarian lifestyle of the tribal communities. 
    • The term ‘Soh’ or ‘Soro’ means to drive away, while ‘Rai’ refers to a stick, symbolizing key elements of the ritual. 
  • Sohrai Khovar Painting received the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2020.