Sohrai: Art in Agriculture
India is predominantly an agrarian economy. In India, agriculture and the corresponding sectors provide the majority of employment. Agriculture continues to be the main source of income for 70% of rural households in the country, with 82% of farmers being small-scale or marginal producers. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) states that India is the world's top producer of rice, wheat, sugarcane, groundnuts, vegetables, fruit, and cotton. It also holds the top spot in the world rankings for milk, pulses, and jute. In addition, it ranks highly in the production of fish, poultry, cattle, spices, and plantation crops. In 2012, it had 190 million cattle, the second-largest population in the world. Having a broad landmass and a varied climate, it is seventh largest country globally by area. Due to differences in major crops and climate, harvest festivals are observed at different times of the year in different states.
The tribals of Indian states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Bihar celebrate Sohrai as a harvest festival, also known as bandna, cattle festival and harvest festival. It falls in the Hindu month of Karthik (October–November) following the harvest and coincides with Govardhan Puja or Annakut, a day after Diwali celebrations on amavasya (new moon) while the Santhalis in Santhal Parganas of Jharkhand observed it in the month of January. It is considered to be the most important festival of the Santhalis though other tribes such as Munda, Oraon, Sadan, etc. too celebrate it. In terms of population, the Santhals are the largest tribe in West Bengal and Jharkhand. The celebration of the festival has a mythical interpretation found in the old Santhal mythology. To visit their brothers, the eldest sister of the Santhals, Jaher ayo (the Goddess of the forest), and Marang Buru, the God of the mountain, descend from heaven and it is to mark the occasion, the Santhalis celebrate this harvest festival.
The fact that it's a harvest festival means that objects related to harvest production, such as crops, ploughs, and livestock, are included in the five-day celebrations. The purpose is to honour their deities (bongas) and ancestors and express thanks and love and compassion for the cattle. Before Sohrai, tribal women clean their houses, much like what is done for the preparation of Diwali, the festival of lights and during the festival, they lit their houses, gardens, and cattle sheds with diyas (little clay oil lamps). But one of the things that distinguishes it from Diwali is the custom of decorating the mud walls of their huts by painting them with natural colours derived from clay, charcoal, rice paste and leaves.
Motifs of flora, fauna, and sceneries from daily life are illustrated by tribal women with the belief that the murals would safeguard their people, cattle and crops and ward off evil spirits and bring fortune.
The ritualistic art is created with the help of twigs, bamboo or grass brushes, combs and even their fingers. The red line is drawn first since it symbolizes fertility, propagation, and the "blood of the ancestors."
Sohrai is counted as one of the oldest art forms of wall painting. Its roots can be traced back to the Paleolithic Era. It first appeared in caves and later spread to mud-walled dwellings. There are similarities between the motifs of Sohrai and the rock paintings of Isko Caves of the Paleolithic Age in the Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand, which are thought to be among the oldest and best examples of prehistoric art in India.
In order to ensure that this rich cultural legacy survives and develops further, efforts have been made to promote and conserve Sohrai paintings. Sohrai murals cover the walls of Hazaribagh railway station. In an effort to support local craftsmen, the government and state-owned companies like Jharcraft have provided them with a market on which to sell indigenous crafted products, such as Sohrai art.
Ranchi, the capital city of Jharkhand, has its walls adorned with Sohrai patterns and motifs that highlight the long-standing aesthetic and cultural roots of the state. The art form features at Ranchi's Birsa Munda airport as well.
As a result of its importance to the indigenous people of these areas in their cultural and religious lives, Sohrai was awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag on May 13, 2020. In addition to adding aesthetic value to the surrounding area, Sohrai paintings represent the cultural identity and beliefs of the surrounding tribal people.
Thus, Sohrai festival is an ongoing reminder of the deep-rooted ties between humanity and the harvest, a means of preserving one of the worlds ancient art forms, by incorporating it as an integral part of the celebration.
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