Indian Folk Art

Choose the Correct Answer

Correct Answer : Option a

Explanation
Sohrai Art from Jharkhand took centre stage at the second edition of Kala Utsav 2025 – Artists in Residence Programme, held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Statement 1 is not correct: Sohrai is a traditional mural painting style from Jharkhand, not a scroll painting form. It is typically crafted by tribal women on the mud walls of homes and communal spaces, particularly during the Sohrai festival, marking the harvesting season and the arrival of winter. Scroll painting, on the other hand, is more closely linked to art forms like Pattachitra of Odisha and Jadopatia of Jharkhand.

Statement 2 is correct: Sohrai Art has ancient origins, dating back to the Meso-chalcolithic period (9000–5000 BCE). Rock paintings found at the Isko rock shelter in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, bear striking resemblance to traditional Sohrai motifs, linking it to prehistoric cave art.

Statement 3 is not correct: Although Sohrai Art may feature mythological elements, its primary focus is on nature, depicting animals such as bulls, elephants, and peacocks, along with trees and scenes of rural life, celebrating agrarian traditions, fertility, and livestock rather than centering mainly on deities.
Sohrai Art was spotlighted at Kala Utsav 2025, held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where it was praised by the President of India as reflecting “the soul of India”. The event gave national recognition to this tribal art form and featured artists from Hazaribagh district.