“Sohrai Art is Soul of India”: President Murmu
Jharkhand's Indigenous Mural Tradition Shines at Rashtrapati Bhavan's Kala Utsav 2025.
- President Droupadi Murmu praised Jharkhand’s Sohrai Art at Kala Utsav 2025, calling it the “soul of India.”
- Ten Sohrai artists showcased their traditional mural paintings, typically made by tribal women during festive seasons, at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
- This event, supported by IGNCA, brought national recognition to Sohrai Art, highlighting its cultural richness.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 26th July: The indigenous mural tradition of Sohrai Art from Jharkhand took center stage at the second edition of Kala Utsav 2025 – Artists in Residence Programme, held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. This ten-day residency, from July 14th to 24th, 2025, was graced by the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, marking a significant milestone in celebrating India’s rich folk and tribal art traditions.
President Murmu visited the exhibition and personally interacted with the participating artists. In her address, she lauded their dedication, stating, “These artworks reflect the soul of India – our connection to nature, our mythology, and our community life. I deeply admire how each of you continues to uphold these invaluable traditions.”
Sohrai, a ritualistic wall-painting tradition practiced by tribal communities in Jharkhand, is typically created by women during harvest and festive seasons. Artists utilize natural earth pigments and bamboo brushes to transform mud walls into vivid depictions of animals, plants, and geometric motifs, which are deeply connected to agrarian life and spiritual beliefs.
Ten acclaimed Sohrai artists from Hazaribagh district, including Ms. Rudan Devi, Ms. Anita Devi, and Ms. Malo Devi, showcased their traditional artistry to a national audience during the residency. Artists Ms. Malo Devi and Ms. Sajwa Devi expressed their delight, saying, “We are extremely happy to have been a part of this initiative. Had a great experience presenting our state’s Sohrai Art form.”
The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and its Regional Centre in Ranchi played a crucial role in this cultural initiative. Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary, IGNCA, along with Dr. Kumar Sanjay Jha, Regional Director, and Mrs. Sumedha Sengupta, Project Associate from IGNCA Ranchi, were present. Project Assistants Mrs. Bolo Kumari Oraon, Mr. Prabhat Linda, and Dr. Himanshu Shekhar were instrumental in coordinating the artists’ participation. As a gesture of respect, IGNCA felicitated the President with a traditional saree.
This esteemed platform at Rashtrapati Bhavan provided long-overdue national recognition for Sohrai Art, which has previously not received the same attention as other traditional paintings like Godna, Mithila, and Warli. This opportunity has helped bring the traditional wisdom and cultural richness of Jharkhand to the forefront of India’s artistic landscape, affirming the enduring spirit of Jharkhand’s tribal communities through this vibrant art form. IGNCA continues its dedication to promoting and preserving such indigenous art forms.
