To promote the near-extinct art form ‘Sohrai’ among the people of the State, the Government has taken an initiative to paint important building walls in the State Capital with the art form. Starting with the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) and his residence, the initiative will be further extended to other places in the coming days.
Stambh, an NGO working for the empowerment of women and associated with the practice of various art forms have taken the responsibility to paint the ‘Sohrai’ art form on major government buildings. All the artists involved in the task are women and have been practicing the art form since ages.
“The art form was prevalent and dominant in the rural belt only. To revive the dying art form such initiatives are always helpful. I am practicing the art form since 2000 and unfortunately, nobody in urban area is familiar with the art form. The painting has historical importance and is associated with tribal believes and tradition,” said Jyoti Panna, State Awardee in ‘Sohrai’ art.
Government too believes that through such initiatives, the dying art form can be promoted at wider scale.
“The motive behind this is to promote artists associated with it and also make denizens familiar with the art form. It is also a platform to promote the ‘Sohrai’ art which has lost its importance in the contemporary world. We have planned to paint all the major Govt building but it depends upon the concerned department too. Moreover, it is also an attempt to maintain all major buildings in the State Capital,” said Arts and Culture Minister, Amar Kumar Bauri.
As many as 10 ladies involved in the painting are neither trained painters nor do they have any experience in exhibiting painting at state, national or international arena. All of them are associated with an NGO and are from interior areas, working for earning decent livelihood.
“This is an attempt to make these ladies aware about various platforms and promote their talent. There is a lack of support and as a result many art forms have lost its credibility and importance,” informed Chairperson of Stambh Trust Jayshree Indwar.
Hazaribagh district has become the first district to take the initiative for painting and promoting the ‘Sohrai’ art form at major building. ‘Contribute and colour’ initiative started in Hazaribagh also promote the mission Swacch Bharat Abhiyan. ‘Sohrai’ is a ritualistic art based on themes done on mud walls to welcome the new harvest and is practiced only by married women with natural colours and is also crafted in different apparels.