Archive · 17 Jan 2026
Sohrai Art Empowers Jharkhand Women
Sohrai is a traditional wall art from Jharkhand that celebrates nature and livestock.
It uses natural pigments and depicts animals, forests, and plants.
The art form has gained popularity and received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2020.
It has also empowered women like Kamini Sinha, who have diversified Sohrai into handicrafts and gained financial independence.
The art is supported by government initiatives and has reached international audiences.
Sohrai art originated in Hazaribagh district, Jharkhand, and is celebrated around the paddy harvest.
It uses natural pigments and depicts themes from the natural world, such as domesticated animals and forests.
Sohrai received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2020.
Women like Kamini Sinha have diversified Sohrai into handicrafts, empowering rural women and gaining financial independence.
Government initiatives like PMEGP, Mudra loans, and Startup India support Sohrai artists.
- Who
- Tribal communities in Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha, particularly women artists like Kamini Sinha
- What
- Sohrai art, a traditional wall art form celebrating nature and livestock
- When
- Celebrated around the paddy harvest, a day after Diwali
- Where
- Originated in Hazaribagh district, Jharkhand, and practiced in other districts
- Why
- To express gratitude for nature's bounty and empower rural women through art
- Origin
- Hazaribagh district, Jharkhand
- GI Tag
- 2020
- Traditional Colors
- Red ochre, black, yellow ochre, kaolin clay
- Modern Materials
- Acrylic, enamel
- Themes
- Domesticated animals, forests, naturescapes, plants
- Celebration
- Day after Diwali
- Empowerment
- Supports over 35 women
- Government Support
- PMEGP, Mudra loans, Startup India