Sohrai/cattle festival/Jahrkhand

Jharkhand, "What future for Hazaribagh paintings?" — part 6

We must admit that these wonders of human creativity are fading away in the villages year by year. However, these tribal paintings, in their paper form, have travelled the world, giving rise to exhibitions or live performances in prestigious museums.

Hazaribagh paintings

Jharkhand, Sohrai festival "Painting aripan to welcome the cattle" — part 5

When the liquid rice paste is ready for use, the women trace a graphic path from outside the house to the stable. If the latter is in the inner courtyard of the house, the line runs across the courtyard to the entrance of the stable.

Hazaribagh paintings

Jharkhand, Hazaribagh "Diwali at the Sanskriti Centre" — part 4

As night falls, the house is buzzing with activity as everyone waits for darkness to light the oil lamps in the centre's three houses. The children, grandchildren and my hostess Elisabeth prepare the clay lamps on a tray and place them in key locations.

Hazaribagh paintings

Jharkhand, Hazaribagh "Painting the walls for Sohrai" — part 3

In Hazaribagh, this art of scratching is the hallmark of the Kurmi tribal farming community to which Rudhan Devi belongs. I watch as she prepares a new section of a wall to be coated with manganese oxide, or “kali-mati,” mixed with water. This deep black pigment was used in cave paintings.

Hazaribagh paintings

Jharkhand, Hazaribagh "Painting the walls for Sohrai" — part 2

The autumn rains have receded and the married women, whose names are always followed by the title Devi in honour of the goddess, are once again whitewashing the walls of their homes to restore the surfaces on which they will paint.

Hazaribagh paintings

Jharkhand, Hazaribagh "An endangered heritage" — part 1

Upon leaving the city, the beautiful hills and lush green nature immediately dominate the landscape. Cows graze in the shade of tall evergreen sal trees (Shorea robusta), while the paddy fields, which are dry in November, are ripening.