Woman Learning to Draw Straight Lines as First Step of Sohrai Art in Hazaribagh

24-Mar-2026

This image depicts the initial process of learning Sohrai art in Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand. In the photograph, a woman is seen drawing a straight line on the wall using her fingers. This process is considered the first step in learning the traditional Sohrai art of the Santhal tribe. New artists learning this art form are first taught to draw straight lines. These lines form the foundation of practice and help develop steadiness and balance in the artist's hand. Additionally, these lines are also used to decorate the borders and edges in Sohrai paintings. These simple lines drawn on the wall with natural soil pigments eventually become the foundation for creating complex figures, animals, birds, and the beautiful nature-inspired compositions that define Sohrai painting.