Sohrai

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Sohrai
TypeCultural, seasonal
CelebrationsDecoration and worshiping of cattles, performing rituals and feast
Date Kartik Amavasya
FrequencyAnnual
Related to Bandna

Sohrai is a harvest festival celebrated in the Indian states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Bihar. It is also called the cattle festival. The festival is observed after the harvest and coincides with Govardhan Puja during Diwali. [1] [2] In Santal Parganas, it is celebrated in the month of January. It is observed by the Santal, Bhumij, Sadan, Oraon, Ho and Munda communities, among others. [3] [4] [5] [6]

Contents

It is celebrated on Amavasya of the Hindu month of Kartik, which falls in October–November. In Santal Parganas, it is celebrated in January, between the 10th and 15th. During this festival, people fast, paint their houses, and prepare food. At night, they light earthen lamps in the cattle sheds and offer sacrifices to Gaurea, the deity of animals. [7] [2]

Celebration

Sohrai is a harvest festival celebrated after the harvest. It is observed on Amavasya (new moon) in the Hindu month of Kartik (October–November). The festival is celebrated in honor of cattle, especially bullocks, buffaloes, goats, and sheep. On this day, people fast throughout the day, and earthen lamps are lit in homes, cattle sheds, kitchens, and gardens. On the festival day, the animals are bathed, and their horns and foreheads are anointed with vermilion diluted in oil. They are offered a special meal of rice and vegetables. In the evening, a black chicken is sacrificed to Gaurea (the spirit of the cowshed), along with Tapan (fermented rice drink). The meat of the sacrificed chicken is then eaten with bread and Tapan. [8] Sohrai is a day to express gratitude and affection for livestock. [2] [9] [10] [11] The harvest festival is also a time for people to showcase their artistic skills and expressions. Every year, after the festival is over, the drawings and patterns created during this time are erased. This festival usually takes place in October or November and lasts for three days. It coincides with Diwali. However, the Santals living in Santal Parganas celebrate it in January. [12]

Arts

An indigenous art form is practised by the women. Ritualistic art is done on mud walls to welcome the harvest and to celebrate the cattle. The women clean their houses and decorate their walls with murals of Sohrai arts. This art form has continued since 10,000–4,000 BC. It was prevalent mostly in caves, but shifted to houses with mud walls. [13]

Chawk Pura During Sohrai or Bandna Festival in a Courtyard Chawk Pura During Bandna Festival in a Courtyard.jpg
Chawk Pura During Sohrai or Bandna Festival in a Courtyard
Sohrai wall painting jharkhand Sohrai wall painting jharkhand India.jpg
Sohrai wall painting jharkhand
Women group painting in the festival of sohrai in Hazaribagh Sohrai painting, Jharkhand.jpg
Women group painting in the festival of sohrai in Hazaribagh

This Sohrai art form can be monochromatic or colorful. The people coat the wall with a layer of white mud, and while the layer is still wet, they draw with their fingertips on it. Their designs range from flowers and fruits to various other nature-inspired designs. The cow dung that was earlier used to cake the walls of the house is used to add colour. The dark outline is visible due to the previously applied contrasting white mud coat. Sohrai artists are spontaneous in their drawing. Little pre-planning is evident. The canvases range up to 12 x 18 feet. The designs are usually drawn from the artist's memory. The personal experience of the artist and their interaction with nature are the biggest influence.

References

  1. ↑ "दिवाली पर झारखंड में मनता है चित्रों का पर्व सोहराय". livehindustan. 8 November 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 Xalxo, Prem (2007). Complementarity of Human Life and Other Life Forms in Nature: A Study of Human Obligations Toward the Environment with Particular Reference to the Oraon Indigenous Community of Chotanagpur, India. Gregorian Biblical BookShop. p. 58. ISBN   978-88-7839-082-9.
  3. ↑ Manish Ranjan (2022). JHARKHAND GENERAL KNOWLEDGE 2021. Prabhat Prakashan. ISBN   9789354883002.
  4. ↑ "SOHRAI: THE TRADITIONAL HARVEST ART OF JHARKHAND". shuru-art.com.
  5. ↑ "Sohrai, A festival and an art". indroyc.com. 10 November 2015.
  6. ↑ Gupta, Narendra Kumar Das (1963). Problems of Tribal Education and the Santals. Bharatiya Adimjati Sevak Sangh. p. 50.
  7. ↑ "SOHRAI PAINTINGS OF JHARKHAND". maatighar.com.
  8. ↑ Dr Manish Ranjan (2021). JHARKHAND PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION PRELIMS EXAMS COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE PAPER. Prabhat Prakashan. p. 50. ISBN   978-9390906321.
  9. ↑ Sevartham. St. Albert's College. 2005. p. 28.
  10. ↑ Xalxo, Prem (2007). Complementarity of Human Life and Other Life Forms in Nature: A Study of Human Obligations Toward the Environment with Particular Reference to the Oraon Indigenous Community of Chotanagpur, India. Gregorian Biblical BookShop. ISBN   978-88-7839-082-9.
  11. ↑ Sachchidananda (1979). The Changing Munda. Concept. p. 291. ISBN   9780391019324.
  12. ↑ Krishna, Sumi (13 January 2004). Livelihood and Gender: Equity in Community Resource Management. SAGE Publications India. p. 268. ISBN   978-81-321-0385-1.
  13. ↑ Singh, Ajit Kumar (1997). Land use, environment and economic growth in India. MD Publ. ISBN   8175330252. OCLC   313224070.
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