Santal Sohrai Wall Art in Purulia : From Mud Walls to Urban Spaces
Purulia women transform ancient mud wall paintings into stunning works of art, preserving tradition with new techniques and vibrant colors.
Santal Sohrai Art: Stemming the Decline
Purulia, a district in West Bengal, India lies in the lower southeast corner of the Chhota Nagpur plateau.
The monochromatic mural tradition of Santal Sohrai wall art of northern Purulia having practically bowed out to modern trends, we, as outsiders could only stand and watch in dismay.
A tradition on the decline (January 2025)Daricha Foundation
Having actively documented this art for nearly a decade, we felt we had to attempt something that would stem the decline. We held a series of workshops with some of the women, all traditional Sohrai experts.
The artists were encouraged to adapt their wall art on handmade paper for urban décor. At least the motifs could then be saved. A grant from Hyundai Motor India Foundation’s Art for Hope 2024 was of invaluable help.
Sohrai Likhan on paper (February 2024)Daricha Foundation
With some trepidation, a few women took on the challenge of scaling down their traditional wall compositions and rendering it on paper.
Sohrai Likhan on paper (February 2024)Daricha Foundation
Uncomfortable about the restrictive dimensions of the paper, they had to work hard to downsize their motifs and yet retain the beauty of traditional compositions.
They were compelled to change their technique, using brushes instead of their nimble fingers.
Sohrai Likhan on paper (February 2024)Daricha Foundation
In developing this new format, they also added to their monochromatic palette of clay and cowdung, experimenting with colours extracted from stones, leaves, indigo and, ...
Sohrai Likhan on paper (February 2024)Daricha Foundation
... soot scraped off cooking utensils that had been used on a wood fire.
Sohrai Likhan on paper (February 2024)Daricha Foundation
Pounding, rubbing and grinding with gusto, they soon had an exquisite palette of various shades of beiges, browns, rusts, greens, sepias, blues and greys – by mixing with the paler clays, soot or cowdung.
Sohrai Likhan on paper (February 2024)Daricha Foundation
Thrilled with their efforts, they set about painting the backgrounds on the paper with great enthusiasm, in the traditional method. To fix each colour, they added glue from the bael fruit (Aegle marmelos). When dry, each colour coated paper was ready to be embellished.
Sohrai Likhan on paper (January 2024)Daricha Foundation
From this point onwards, the process diverged from the original technique used on the walls, with the motifs now being painted, instead of being etched, on the background. Simulating the look of the smooth, effortless sweep of their finger strokes on walls with a brush was also a challenge at first.
Eventually, they got into the flow, managing to master the use of brushes in the process. With growing confidence, the women began to carefully reproduce their traditional motifs.
Sohrai Likhan in its new avatar on public display (March 2024)Daricha Foundation
The appreciation they received when their paintings were put up on display at the Art for Hope exhibition in Delhi filled them with awe.
This was the first time that the wider public was made aware of the very existence of Santal Sohrai wall art from West Bengal, and also, the first time that their art was being seen outside their village and at a gallery in the capital no less!
No looking back (June 2024)Daricha Foundation
Subsequent exhibitions were a success as well and the outcome has almost bemused them. Who would think, these simple women wondered, that people in the cities would love their art?
As their paintings evolve into stunning creations, the women are hopeful that this initiative will not only save their art but also help start a new means of livelihood for the handful of traditional Sohrai Likhan experts in their community.
It could take a while, but they are keeping their fingers crossed.
You are all set!
Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.