Santhal Woman Creating Sohrai Painting Using Traditional Technique

24-Mar-2026

This image represents the traditional Sohrai Painting from Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand. In the picture, a woman from the Santhal Tribe is seen creating fine and rhythmic black lines on a canvas placed on the floor using a datun (a traditional twig tool). Sohrai art commonly depicts themes inspired by nature, animals, birds, plants, and scenes from rural life.

A yellow container filled with natural pigment is also placed near the artist, indicating the use of natural colors derived from soil and other organic sources. Today, many Santhal women create such paintings and sell them in local markets, which provides them with an additional source of income while also promoting and preserving their traditional Sohrai art.