Folk Arts of Jharkhand, Traditions, Festivals, Crafts, Significance

The Folk Arts of Jharkhand reflect the close relationship between its communities, nature and everyday life. Rather than being limited to decorative art, these traditions are closely woven into festivals, marriage ceremonies, agricultural practices and community celebrations. They also preserve traditional knowledge, local materials and artistic skills passed down through generations.

Major Folk Arts of Jharkhand

The Folk Arts of Jharkhand take diverse forms, from paintings and dance traditions to music, metalwork, bamboo crafts. Some of the most distinctive traditions are described below.

Folk Paintings

• Sohrai and Khovar: Sohrai and Khovar (also written as Kohvar) are two distinct wall-painting traditions of Jharkhand. Khovar/Kohvar is associated with marriage ceremonies and is traditionally painted in the bridal room, known as the Kohvar Ghar. Sohrai is associated with the post-harvest cattle festival, traditionally celebrated in winter. Women traditionally create these paintings using natural earth colours, with motifs of animals, birds, plants, fertility and geometric patterns. Sohrai-Khovar Painting is a registered Geographical Indication (GI) of Jharkhand.
• Jadupatua: Jadupatua is a scroll-painting tradition associated with the Santhal cultural region. The painted scrolls were used by artists to narrate stories through a sequence of images, covering themes such as mythology, legends, social life and community traditions. The art therefore combines painting with storytelling rather than functioning simply as a decorative form. Jharkhand Jadupatua Paintings received GI registration in 2026.
• Paitkar: Paitkar is the traditional scroll painting of Amadubi in East Singhbhum district. Its artists, known as Chitrakars, traditionally paint on paper and scrolls using natural colours. The subjects range from the Ramayana and Mahabharata to local legends, festivals, social life, flora and fauna. The tradition has faced difficulties in finding markets and wider recognition, although efforts have been made to revive it in Amadubi.

Folk Dances

• Seraikela Chhau: Seraikela Chhau combines dance, martial movements and dramatic storytelling. Its themes draw from mythology, folklore and nature, while masks are used to represent characters and convey emotions through controlled body movements rather than facial expressions. It is one of the three recognised styles of Chhau, alongside Purulia Chhau of West Bengal and Mayurbhanj Chhau of Odisha. Seraikela and Purulia use masks, whereas Mayurbhanj is performed without masks. Chhau was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010. 
• Paika: Paika is a traditional martial folk dance associated with the Munda and Baraik (Nagpuri) communities of Jharkhand. Traditionally performed by men, it involves coordinated movements with swords and shields and is accompanied by instruments such as the Narsingha, Shehnai, Bheri, Dhak and Nagara.
• Karma: Karma is closely connected with the Karam festival and combines singing, rhythmic movements and traditional instruments. Different regional forms are performed in Jharkhand, with the movement and rhythm changing according to local traditions. 
• Jhumur: Jhumur combines folk singing and dance and is performed during social occasions and festivals. Its rhythmic character and use of traditional drums have made it an important part of the folk culture of Jharkhand.
• Domkach: Domkach is a wedding-related community dance associated particularly with the Nagpuri cultural region. Its participatory nature distinguishes it from performance traditions meant primarily for an audience.
• Firkal: Firkal is a martial folk dance associated with the Bhumij tribe of Jharkhand. Its performance incorporates weapons such as swords, bows, arrows and shields, reflecting the martial traditions of the community.
• Santhal Dance: Santhal men and women perform these dances collectively during festivals, weddings and other important community occasions. The dancers usually move in groups, accompanied by traditional instruments such as drums, flutes, pipes and cymbals. The performances are closely linked with Santhal community life and reflect its strong connection with nature.

Folk Music and Instruments

Music forms an important part of Jharkhand’s dance and festival traditions. Traditional instruments include the Mandar, Nagara, Dhamsa, Dhak, Dhol, Bansuri, Shehnai, Bheri, Singha and Banam. The Mandar, a traditional drum, provides the rhythmic base for many folk performances, while the Banam is a distinctive stringed instrument associated with tribal musical traditions.

The GI Registry also records Jharkhand Benam (Musical Instrument) as a registered GI. While Banam is the commonly used name for the instrument in cultural literature, “Benam” is the spelling used in the official GI entry.

Folk Crafts 

• Dhokra: Dhokra is a traditional lost-wax metal-casting technique used to create figurines, animals, ritual objects and decorative items. The technique is practised across parts of eastern and central India, including Jharkhand. 
• Bamboo Craft: Bamboo is widely used by artisans to make baskets, mats, furniture, fishing equipment and household objects. Its importance lies not only in the finished products but also in the use of locally available natural material and traditional craftsmanship.
• Tribal Jewellery: Jewellery forms an important part of the material culture of Jharkhand’s tribal communities. Traditional ornaments made from metals and other locally available materials are worn during everyday life as well as festivals and ceremonies. 

Festivals and Folk Arts of Jharkhand

Many Folk Arts of Jharkhand are best understood through the festivals in which they are practised.

• Sohrai: Celebrated around the harvest season, Sohrai is closely associated with cattle and agriculture. The festival also provides the cultural setting for the famous Sohrai wall paintings.
• Sarhul: Sarhul is a major spring festival in which nature occupies a central place. The Sal tree and its flowers have particular significance, reflecting the close relationship between tribal cultural practices and the forest environment.
• Karma: The Karam festival is marked by singing and dancing and is associated with the Karam tree and the community’s seasonal cycle.
• Baha: Baha is a Santhal flower festival celebrated when new flowers, particularly Sal flowers, appear. The festival symbolises the renewal of life and the relationship between the community and nature. 
• Tusu: Tusu is a harvest festival associated with songs and community celebrations. It is particularly associated with young women and the seasonal agricultural cycle. 

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Folk Arts of Jharkhand Cultural Significance

The significance of the Folk Arts of Jharkhand goes beyond their artistic value. 

• They preserve traditional knowledge, community identity and links with the natural environment while providing livelihoods for artisans and performers. 
• They also offer opportunities for cultural tourism and the wider promotion of Jharkhand’s heritage.

At the same time, traditions such as Paitkar painting face challenges from limited markets, changing lifestyles and weakening transmission of traditional skills. Recognition through GI or cultural institutions can help, but long-term preservation also depends on creating sustainable livelihoods for the communities that practise these traditions.