ARTIFACTS OF JHARKHAND

Mohammad Arsalan
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Jharkhand is a state separated from Bihar way back in 2000. It was because of the fact that major part was covered with forest and mineral rich natural resources, Tribal people comprised of a huge population and had distinct culture which led to the demand of a new state. In Jharkhand tribes like Santhal, Birhor, Munda, Oraon, Gond etc. live in jungles and have extremely distinct social life. From language, rituals, paintings, clothing, food, festival, social gathering, worship and so on it has a beautiful setup that is far beyond the new modern and technical world. Here are some of the artefacts of Jharkhand that can paint a picture of the state.

PAITKAR PAINTINGS:

Pic 1- A Paitkar painting 

‘Paitkar Paintings’ also known as ‘Scroll Paintings’ are the old form of paintings which has been practiced by Shahbar tribe for thousands of years. These paintings are made up of natural colour from plants, ashes, fodder etc. the medium through which the Paitkar artists use to paint their scrolls is water-based colours. These paintings are made up on walls and houses that narrate some or other kind of stories. These stories generally depict life after death. Pata painting is one of the earliest folk paintings of India. The Paitkar artists make the palm leaves as the base of the art and the brushes are made from the hair of squirrel and goat. Human characters occupy most part of the painted space. These characters are present in profile and sometimes in semi profile. The eyes are elongated which reflects the characteristic of Indian painting style. The painted face came much later only in the mid-20th century.

KOHVAR & SOHRAI PAINTINGS:

Pic 2- A lady painting Kohvar.

These are sacred, secular and relevant to a woman's world. This is the art practiced exclusively by married women, during weddings and at harvest time, and the skill and the information is handed down to younger females of the clan. Comb-cut or finger-painted, Kohvar art celebrates marriage, and the wall-painted Sohrai, bumper crops. Elaborate design motifs, animal and plant forms, fertility motifs are abundant and often echo ancient cave art found in the surrounds. The colours used are all natural - neutral earth shades, red oxide from stone, red ochre, kaolin white, manganese black earth etc. Blue and green are aberrant colours and do not feature prominently.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS:

Pic 3- Tribal Bansuri made of Bamboo

Kadri, Arbansi, Sarangi, Tuila, and Bansuri are some musical instruments of this State. The Jharkhand Sarangi looks curved, has three main chords which weigh more than other chords in the instrument. It is played along with Singa, Bansuri and Arbansi to give it that enthralling quality. Paika dance is accompanied with music of Shahnai, Bheir, Narsingha and the Dhak and Nagara drums.Instruments like Nagara, Jhanj, Mohuri, Turi, Dhol, Dhumsa, Bheri, Bansuri and conch shells are used in Chhaw dance. Karma is accompanied by folk music along with instruments such as Jhumki, Thumki, Challa and Payri. Such dances and forms of music play are performed generally at the wedding ceremonies, festivals and harvest seasons.

BOWS AND ARROWS AS WEAPONS:

Pic 4- Bows and Arrows of Tribal.

One of the most important and distinctive symbol that characterizes this community is the bow and arrow. The Santals use it extensively. Apart from using it for hunting, they use it during various rituals, festivals and celebrations. During the ceremonial cleansing after birth, the arrow is used by the midwife. In ancient times the umbilical cord of a new born baby was cut with the sharp edge of an arrow and the same arrow was placed vertically on the head side of the baby. During marriage ceremonies the arrow is used too. Again bow and arrows are offered to the dead (male members of the community) during burials. The bow and arrow is highly respected in the society. If anyone by chance touches it by his feet, he is immediately asked to bow to it. Therefore, it is impossible for the Tribals to abandon these bow and arrows as they are culturally, emotionally and mentally attached to them (bows and arrows).

TRIBAL ARTWORK:

Chhou mask - Chhou is a type of dance done with colourful masks. The masks are made of paper Mache in Singhbhum and Purulia district of Jharkhand and west Bengal respectively. Paper Mache of Saraikela and Charinda are famous for Chhou dance. Sometimes it appears similar to the masks used in Kerla in Kathakali.

Tribal woodwork - Jharkhand is full of good quality Saal forest and hence wooden artwork in the "should" of Tribals. The wood is used for cooking, housing, farming, fishing etc. The tribal artists of some villages have explored their creativity in art, like beautifully decorative door panels, toys, boxes, and other household articles.

Tribal Bamboo Artwork - The Bamboo found in this area are different from Bamboo of Southeast Asia. There is tourist place, Netarhat, which means a Bazaar of Bamboo. These bamboos are thin, and strong and flexible. The tribal people use bamboo for making baskets, hunting & fishing equipment. Especially the bamboo made fishing cage is very attractive.

Pic 5- Godna

Godna - Tribals use ornaments a lots but the spiritual concept of ornament is very different. They believe that all ornaments are human made and are mortal. Therefore, they invented tattoos as permanent ornament. Majority of tribal woman have tattoos called Godna, on their bodies. However, tribal men also use Godna. They believe that Godna are the only ornament which goes with them after death also.

Tribal weapons - Bow and arrow is the symbolic weapon of the Tribals of this area. Apart from this they use iron made Axes and Ghana (Big hammer).