The three-day workshop on Sohrai and Kohbar painting, organised by Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, Ranchi Regional Centre (IGNCA RRC) at Ranchi University Campus, Morabadi from November19 to 21, concluded today. More than 50 students from DAV Public School, Gandhinagar participated in the workshop.
The entire workshop was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Bachchan Kumar, Regional Director, IGNCA, Ranchi Regional Centre. Ujjal Ghosh, renowned tribal art painter, researcher and scholar conducted the workshop. The artists, Parvati Devi, Sajo Devi, Rudan Devi, Sugya Devi and Malo Devi trained the students under the supervision of Ghosh.
The workshop helped the upcoming generation learn about Jharkhand’s primeval art and culture, which is an important step towards cultural integration. The students took keen interest in learning the indigenous art form. They painted religiously as per the teachings of the Gurus and created beautiful canvasses. Few amongst them were successful in completely grasping the original tribal style of the painting. S. K Sinha, Principal, DAV Public School, Gandhinagar also visited the workshop to encourage the children. He was extremely overwhelmed to see the students’ engrossment in learning this ancient art tradition of Jharkhand.
The closing ceremony of the workshop was graced by Dr. B. P. Shrivastava, Registrar, Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), interacted with the artists and discussed the significance of tribal art in general and Sohrai and Kohbar painting in particular. He expressed his pleasure on being present on the occasion. He also spoke about how this indigenous art form should be preserved and nurtured. “It is very essential to train the young generation in this art form, through workshops, to keep the art alive,” he said.
IGNCA RRC also aspires to further conduct training programmes, workshops, lectures and seminars on tribal painting of Jharkhand as it is crucial to preserve and conserve the ancient art and heritage of India.