The Brilliance of Sonabai Rajawar
The origin of clay relief in Chhattisgarh and a look at master craftsperson Sonabai Rajawar's work in the village of Puhputra.
Dastkari Haat Samiti
Dastkari Haat Samiti
In the small remote village of Puhputra in Sarguja District, Chhattisgarh, India, murals and architectural features inside homes did not exist as a crafted art form, before Sonabai Rajawar. This particular form of clay relief was born here, fashioned by hand, out of straw, clay and bamboo. The art form was not based on heritage, tradition, prayer or sacred rituals. However, Sonabai put her own stored wisdom and experiences, containing hints of all of these, into her artistic expressions.
Tribal Clay Relief (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
She did not have anyone to interact with and nothing to occupy her mind, beyond household chores and the care of her infant. She was filled with loneliness.
Tribal Clay Relief: People and community (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Most women in India tend to decorate the environment in which they live. This can be in the form of weaving the handle of a grass broom, embroidering a pillow cover or even creating wall murals. It gives them a form of expression, communication and creativity in an otherwise patriarchal and traditional rural society.
Tribal Clay Relief (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
So, instead of falling in despair, Sonabai put together her extraordinary mind, toughness of spirit, and creative hands to offer herself peace and satisfaction.
Tribal Clay Relief (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
She began to see light, shadow, forms and the earth, mixed with water, in a manner that stimulated her mind.
She made brushes by chewing the ends of twigs till they frayed, and moulded clay from the earth under her feet.
Her colours were made by using herbs, spices and vegetables from her kitchen, which she mixed with a little bit of cooking oil.
Tribal Clay Relief: Wall art (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
With Sonabai's imagination and her efforts to occupy herself, this new craft expanded organically into unique and whimsically elaborate decorations for her home.
With Sonabai's imagination and her efforts to occupy herself, this new craft expanded organically into unique and whimsically elaborate decorations for her home.
Tribal Clay Relief (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
The walls are adorned with original, whimsical folk art, which can be well imagined as a museum of clay relief art.
Tribal Clay Relief (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Sonabai's house carries her legacy. The clay relief work is alive as a fine example of tribal artistic expression.
Tribal Clay Relief: Community and housing (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
The simplicity of the rural surroundings in Sonabai's village Puhputra, in Chattisgarh, belies the richness of the work she did on her home.
Tribal Clay Relief (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Sonabai's inner creative journey eventually made her work an art form and the pride of her village. After that, she was invited to showcase her talent at fairs, festivals and exhibitions throughout India, USA and Australia.
Tribal Clay Relief: Legacy of Sonabai Rajawar (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Sonabai brought recognition, prosperity and status to her home and her community. Her legacy lives on through the inspiration and fame she has left behind.
Tribal Clay Relief: Legacy of Sonabai Rajawar (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Sonabai passed away in 2007, but the story of clay art relief work in Chhattisgarh cannot begin without paying homage to her as its originator.
Tribal Clay Relief: Work by master craftsperson (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Read more Tribal Clay Relief here:
- Sundaribai Rajawar
- Museum of Clay Relief
- Chhattisgarh Crafts Map
Text: Jaya Jaitly
Photography: Suleiman Merchant
Artisans: Shanti Bai, Ram Singh
Crafts Map: Sundari Bai and DHS artists
Ground Facilitator: Charu Verma
Documentary Video: Suleiman Merchant
Curation: Gunjan Tripathi and Ruchira Verma
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