Sohrai Khovar Wall Painting Hazaribagh Jharkhand

Sohrai and Khovar are twin mural painting traditions of the Kurmi, Turi, Ghasi, and Santhali communities of Hazaribagh district, Jharkhand. Sohrai paintings are made at the harvest festival on plastered interior and exterior walls using natural mineral pigments including white kaolinite, red ochre, and black manganese dioxide. Khovar paintings are made in the bridal chamber at weddings, featuring geometric vine and creeper motifs symbolising fertility. Women artists apply pigment with fingers, twigs, or chewed datoon brushes to create flowing animals, birds, and foliage patterns. The GI tag recognises Hazaribagh Sohrai-Khovar as a distinct folk art tradition. Artists like Bhuri Bai and Jodiya Bai received national and international recognition for canvas adaptations of Sohrai.