Jharkhand’s rich cultural tapestry is vividly showcased through its traditional tribal paintings and handicrafts, which hold immense significance not only as artistic expressions but also as vital elements of the state’s heritage. From the intricate Sohrai and Kohbar paintings—both of which have earned prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tags—to the ancient Jadopatiya scroll art and the exquisite Dokra metal craft, these art forms reveal the deep-rooted customs, beliefs, and lifestyle of Jharkhand’s indigenous communities.

For candidates preparing for competitive exams such as JPSC (Jharkhand Public Service Commission) and JSSC (Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission), a thorough understanding of these art traditions is crucial, as questions on Jharkhand’s tribal art and craft heritage frequently appear in the syllabus.

This blog offers a comprehensive guide to Jharkhand’s major tribal paintings and crafts, highlighting their unique features, cultural importance, and regional prevalence, serving as an essential resource for exam success and cultural knowledge alike.

Rath Yatra Mela – Jagannathpur (Ranchi)

• Time: Dwitiya of Shukla Paksha in Ashadh month; return journey on Ekadashi.
• Highlights:
  • Celebrated at the historic Jagannath Temple built in the model of Odisha’s Puri Jagannath temple.
  • Idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are taken in a chariot procession to Mausi Bari.
  • They stay for 9 days, after which the return journey called “Ghurrti Rath Yatra” is conducted.
  • A grand fair is held during this celebration.

Ind Jatra Mela – Ranchi

• Time: On Trayodashi after Karma Puja Visarjan.
• Highlights:
  • Believed to have originated during the Nagvanshi rule at Sutiyambe Garh.
  • Credit for initiating the fair is given to Madra Munda.
  • The fair features a huge Toppar, symbolizing Govardhan Parvat, worshipped by Pahans and priests.
  • A virgin girl touches the Toppar with her feet and it’s buried for 9 days, then worshipped again upon return.

Navami Dola Mela – Tatisilwe (Ranchi)

• Time: Navami of Krishna Paksha in Chaitra month.
• Highlights:
  • Features idols of Radha-Krishna placed in a Dola (palanquin) and worshipped.
  • Celebrated 9 days after Holi, showcasing tribal art and customs.

Mudma Jatra Mela – Mudma (28 km from Ranchi)

• Time: 10 days after Dussehra.
• Highlights:
  • Celebrated by the Oraon tribe.
  • Organized by 40 Pahans from different Parhas.
  • Involves Kalash Sthapana, symbolizing Sun and Earth.
  • Includes sacrifice of a rooster, Jatra Khunta worship, and folk performances.
  • A unique feature is a 30-ft wooden log (Ramp Champa) carried by a single person on the shoulder.

Manda Mela – Hazaribagh, Ramgarh, Bokaro

• Time: During Vaishakh, Jeth, and Ashadh months.
• Highlights:
  • Devotees walk barefoot on burning embers, demonstrating their devotion.
  • The event is followed by a night of Jagran, and the fair takes place the next morning.
  • Lord Shiva is the central deity of this fair.

Surajkund Mela – Hazaribagh

• Time: For 10 days after Makar Sankranti.
• Highlights:
  • Celebrated near the Surajkund hot springs, known for their medicinal value.

Narsingh Sthan Mela – Hazaribagh

• Time: On Kartik Purnima.
• Highlights:
  • A primarily urban fair centered on the Narsingh Sthan temple.

Hathiya Patthar Mela – Phusro (Bokaro)

• Time: Makar Sankranti.
• Highlights:
  • People participate in ritual bathing.
  • Named after a legendary elephant-shaped rock.

Kunda Mela – Pratappur (Chatra)

• Time: Shivratri in Phalgun.
• Highlights:
  • A livestock fair featuring animal trade.

Chapri Mela – Barwadih (Latehar)

• Time: For 2 days starting on Dwitiya of Paush month.
• Highlights:
  • Devotees worship Durjagin Devi during the fair.

Bhoot Mela – Haidarnagar (Palamu)

• Time: From Pratipada to Purnima of Chaitra month (15 days).
• Highlights:
  • Held at Devidham complex.
  • Known for exorcism rituals conducted by Ojhas for those believed to be possessed.

Ramrekha Dham Mela – Simdega (★)

• Time: Kartik Purnima, celebrated for 3 days.
• Highlights:
  • Believed that Lord Rama stayed here during exile.
  • Pilgrims from Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and MP participate.

Budhai Mela – Deoghar

• Time: Panchami of Shukla Paksha in Agahan month.
• Highlights:
  • Celebrated after Nawan festival.
  • Worship of Budheshwari Temple on Budhai hill for 3–5 days.

Shravan / Sawan Mela – Baidyanath Dham (Deoghar) (★)

• Time: Entire Shravan month.
• Highlights:
  • Devotees offer water to Baidyanath Jyotirlinga – one of the 12 Jyotirlingas.
  • ★ Recognized as the world’s largest annual human fair.

Hijla Mela – Dumka (★)

• Time: During spring (Feb–Mar), runs for 1 week.
• Highlights:
  • Held on the banks of Mayurakshi River.
  • Originated in 1890 by Commissioner Castairs.
  • GR Patwardhan added “tribal” to the name in 1975.
  • In 2008, it was upgraded to a festival, and in 2015, it was declared a state fair.
  • Now celebrated as “Rajkiya Janjatiya Hijla Mela Mahotsav”.

Nunbil Mela – Kendra Ghata (Dumka)

• Time: For a week during Makar Sankranti.
• Highlights:
  • Major fair of the Pahariya tribe.
  • Devotees bathe in Nunbil hot spring and worship Junboodi Devi.

Karamdaha Mela – Jamtara

• Time: For 15 days during Makar Sankranti.
• Highlights:
  • Held at Baba Nahkharan (Shiva) temple.
  • Tradition dates back to 17th century.

Langta Baba Mela – Kharkadih (Giridih) (★)

• Time: On Paush Purnima.
• Highlights:
  • Dedicated to Langta Baba, a saint symbolizing communal harmony.
  • Hindus worship at his Samadhi, while Muslims offer chadar and recite Fatiha.

Summary Table of Key Exam-Asked Fairs (★):

Jharkhand’s Rich Tradition of Painting and Craftsmanship

Jharkhand, a state known for its diverse tribal culture and heritage, boasts a variety of unique and ancient painting and craft traditions. These art forms are not only culturally significant but have also gained recognition nationally and internationally.

Traditional Painting Forms of Jharkhand

1. Jadopatiya Painting

• Meaning: The word combines Jado (painter) and Patiya (small pieces of paper or cloth).
• Technique: Created by joining small pieces of paper to form wide panels measuring 15-20 feet.
• Each panel contains 4 to 16 paintings.
• Colors Used: Red, green, yellow, brown, and black predominantly.
• Themes: Depicts tiger deities and scenes related to life after death.
• Cultural Context: Mainly practiced by the Santhal tribe.
• Geographical Popularity: Highly famous in Dumka and Jamtara districts.
• Important: Practitioners of this art are called Jado in the Santhali language.

2. Sohrai Painting

• Association: Linked to the Sohrai festival.
• When Created: After the rainy season, during house cleaning and painting.
• Depiction: Features Prajapati or Pashupati (lord of animals) often shown standing on the back of a bull.
• Major Styles: ‘Manjhu Sohrai’ and ‘Kurmi Sohrai’.
• Region: Very popular in Hazaribagh district.
• Recognition: Received the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag in 2020, making it the first art form from Jharkhand to receive a GI tag.
• The application was submitted by the Sohrai Kala Vikas Sahayogi Samiti, Hazaribagh.

3. Kohbar Painting

• Meaning: Kohbar means a ‘cave where the married couple resides’.
• Practitioner: Painted by married women on their husband’s house walls.
• Designs: Features geometric patterns, flowers, leaves, trees, and human figures (male and female).
• Community: Mainly practiced by the Birhor tribe.
• Theme: Includes depiction of Siki (a goddess).
• Recognition: Awarded the GI tag in 2020.

4. Ganju Painting

• Themes: Pictures of animals, wild and domestic, and plants.
• Purpose: Reflects animals in cultural rituals, especially those in danger or crisis.

5. Paitkar Painting

• Famous Location: Amadubi village in Singhbhum, known as the ‘village of paintings’.
• Also Called: Jharkhand’s scroll painting.
• Historical Significance: One of the oldest tribal paintings, said to be started by the Sabar tribe.
• Mentioned In: Garuda Purana.
• Spread: Popular in Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal as well.
• Content: Portrays tribal stories and local customs, including life after death.

6. Rana, Teli & Prajapati Painting

• Users: Practiced by the three sub-castes named.
• Focus: Depicts Pashupati (Lord Shiva) as the deity of animals and plants.
• Technique: Uses metal wires in the artwork.

7. Wall Painting (Bhitti Painting)

• Location: Painted on house walls.
• Style: Emphasizes geometric symbols.
• Historical Reference: Described by W.C. Archer in 1940 in the magazine Vertical Man.
• Cultural Belief: Santhals associate it with their ancient region, Chai-Champagarh (Hazaribagh).
• Regions: Popular in Santhal Pargana and Chotanagpur.
• Varieties:
  • In Santhal Pargana, the paintings show antiquity with raised patterns.
  • In Chotanagpur, the paintings have a modern feel with vibrant colors and flat surfaces.

8. Straw Art Painting

• Innovation: A new form developed in Jharkhand.
• Technique: Uses paddy straw (pual) as the canvas.
• Straw is flattened and heat-treated before painting.
• The painting is then cut out and pasted on a colored background, usually black.

9. Baidyanath Painting

• Origin: Developed around Baidyanath Dham temple.
• Themes: Illustrates traditions like the Kanwar Yatra, Shivaratri, and Rudrabhishek.
• Promoter: Narendra Panjiara, who received the ‘Cartoonist of the Year’ award in 2016.

Educational Note:

• Jadopatiya and Patkar paintings are included in the Fine Arts curriculum at Ranchi University.

Differences between Kohbar and Sohrai Paintings

Jharkhand’s Traditional Craft (Shilpkala)

Dokra Art (Metal Craft)

• Significance: An ancient and important craft representing Jharkhand’s culture.
• Local Names: Called ‘Sire Pedu’ or ‘Dhadwa (Ghadwa)’ in local language.
• Technique: Uses ancient lost-wax casting (cire perdue) to create exquisite metal figures.
• Materials: Copper, zinc, tin, and other metal alloys.
• Products: Includes figures, utensils, and agricultural tools like Padla (measuring device for rice and paddy).
• Historical Importance: The famous bronze dancing girl found in Mohenjo-Daro is a prime example of lost-wax casting.
• Community: Linked to the Maler caste.
• Clusters: Five main Dokra clusters in Jharkhand—Hazaribagh, Ramgarh, Dumka, Khuta, and East Singhbhum.
• Ranchi: Bundu area also has active Dokra craftsmen.
• Government Support: Jharkhand government’s Handloom Directorate collaborates with Kalamandir, Jamshedpur to promote Dokra art.

Mask Craft (Mukhota Shilpkala)

• Center: Developed primarily in East Singhbhum.
• Usage: Masks are essential for Chhau dance in Saraikela-Kharsawan.
• Material: Made from clay and decorated with paper.
• Artisans: Known as Mahapatra, Maharana, or Sutradhaar.

Kashi Grass Craft

• Region: Popular in Santhal Pargana.
• Products: Useful household items and toys made from grass.
• Seasonal Use: Mostly used during the rainy season.
• Example: Bowls made from wild grass called Subai.

Bamboo Craft

• Artisans: Mainly by the Mahli tribe, skilled in basket weaving.
• Other Communities: Birhor, Gond, and Pahadiya tribes also craft bamboo products.
• Special Item: Bamboo umbrellas called Chatom in Jharkhand.
• Additional Note: Umbrellas made from Gungu leaves are known as Chukri.

Additional Important Facts

• In 2021, the Indian Postal Department issued envelopes featuring Sohrai and Kohbar paintings.
• Famous Jharkhand Painters:
  • Lalit Mohan Rai (Dumka): Founder of Dumka School of Arts. His works are preserved in Patna Museum, Dumka Museum, and Santhal Dance Art Center. Awarded Kalashree in 1970 and Rashtriya Shikhar Samman by Jharkhand Government in 2015.
  • Haren Thakur: Born in Jharia, famous for paintings in Ranchi’s Rock Garden, Shri Krishna Park, and Ranchi Railway Station. Known for artwork on water scarcity.
• Recognition for Dokra Art: Adilabad (Telangana) has received the GI tag for Dokra art.
• Jharkhand Tribal Crafts: The Kaki comb and necklace are made by the Pahadiya tribe.