Sohrai art livens up Gumla collectorate walls
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Gumla: The local administration has painted its collectorate building with Sohrai in an attempt to give a fillip to the local art form.
The walls of the collectorate — both inside and out — now reflect the essence of Jharkhand through intricate Sohrai motifs, featuring cattle wealth, trees, and elements of rural life, all created using natural pigments derived from plants and techniques rooted in rich tradition.
"Sohrai paintings are not just an art form, they are a vivid expression of our tribal heritage — inspired by nature, cattle wealth, and the rhythms of rural life. Through this initiative, we tried to honour our roots while giving a meaningful aesthetic character to our administrative building," the DC said.
Sohrai art, traditionally practised by tribal women during the Sohrai festival (celebrated after Diwali), involves mural painting using natural materials like clay, charcoal, and plant-based colours.
These artworks typically adorn the walls of homes in tribal areas and are known for their organic forms, symbolism, and cultural depths.
"By bringing this traditional art form into urban and institutional settings, the Gumla administration seeks not only to preserve and enrich it but also to promote tribal creativity, creating opportunities for local women artists and tribal painters," Dixit added.
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