Why in NEWS
Artists from Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal participated in the 2nd edition of Kala Utsav 2025 – ‘Artists in Residence Programme’ at Rashtrapati Bhavan, showcasing traditional art forms like Sohrai Khovar, Pattachitra, and Patua. The event aims to honor India’s living traditions by providing a national platform to folk, tribal, and traditional artists.
Key Terms and Concepts
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Kala Utsav | A cultural initiative hosted at Rashtrapati Bhavan promoting indigenous and traditional art |
| Sohrai Khovar | A ritual wall-painting art from Jharkhand linked to harvest and livestock culture |
| Pattachitra | Traditional cloth-based scroll painting from Odisha, linked to Lord Jagannath |
| Patua Painting | Scroll-based folk painting from West Bengal used to narrate folk and devotional stories |
Key Highlights of Sohrai, Pattachitra, and Patua Painting
| Painting Style | Region | Practicing Community | Features & Techniques | Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sohrai Khovar | Jharkhand (Hazaribagh) | Kurmi, Santhal, Munda, Oraon, Agaria, Ghatwal | Painted by tribal women using rice paste & fingers; harvest-linked motifs; wall murals & mandalas | GI Tag in 2020 |
| Pattachitra | Odisha | Chitrakar community (linked with Jagannath temple) | Cloth-based; natural dyes; mythological stories; Krishna Leela; lacquer finish for shine and protection | Ancient Craft |
| Patua | West Bengal | Patua/Chitrakar community (Hindu & Muslim) | Scrolls on cloth; old sari backing; bamboo-hair brushes; gum-fixed vegetable dyes; narrative art | Living Tradition |
In a nutshell
“SOPAPA” = SOhrai + PAttachitra + PA(tua) – Three threads in India’s diverse folk art tapestry.
Prelims Practice Questions
- Which of the following traditional paintings is primarily associated with cattle and harvest rituals?
A. Warli
B. Madhubani
C. Sohrai
D. Patua - Consider the following statements regarding Pattachitra:
- It originated in West Bengal.
- It uses natural colors from vegetable and mineral sources.
- It is coated with tamarind seed glue.
Which of the statements above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
- The Patua painting tradition is most commonly found in which of the following states?
A. Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Odisha
B. Jharkhand, Bihar, and West Bengal
C. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh
D. Assam, Tripura, and Manipur
Answer Key with Explanation
| Qn | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | Sohrai is directly linked to cattle and harvest rituals in tribal Jharkhand. |
| 2 | B | Pattachitra is from Odisha (not WB), uses natural colors, and tamarind glue. |
| 3 | B | Patua tradition thrives in Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Bangladesh. |
