Crafts of Jharkhand - 1 | Jharkhand State (JPSC) PSC: Preparation - JPSC (Jharkhand) PDF Download

Shilp Introduction

• Jharkhand's folk art and craft captivate the mind with their simplicity and charm. There is a rich tradition and history of folk art and crafts in the region. From the earliest times in human history, art and craft have been an integral part of life, as evidenced by the artifacts found in the caves of IISCO and Hazaribagh, as well as the art materials unearthed during excavations in the region.
• These artistic traditions have journeyed through the intriguing alleys of history, evolving into various styles and forms that continue to thrive in tribal society today. The legacy of Jharkhand's folk art and craft is a testament to the enduring cultural heritage and creativity of its people.

Baans Shilp

• Bamboo crafts are not only significant in Jharkhand but also among the world's oldest and most popular artifacts. This accessible, simple, and widely cherished craft exists in some form in every household, whether in villages or cities.
• The tribes, including the Yal, Ho, God, and Pahadiya, are primarily engaged in bamboo craftwork. However, all tribes recognize the use and importance of bamboo. These skilled artisans create many useful and beautiful objects from bamboo. Among the items crafted from bamboo are soups, baskets, shoulder carriers, and fish traps. Additionally, more common utility items like vases and handbags are now being constructed from bamboo.
• The main centers for bamboo crafts are in the districts of Santhal Pargana, Ranchi, and Singhbhum.

Bhiti Chinh

• From early times, the land of Jharkhand has featured paintings on walls, chestnuts, and cave walls. This tradition of illustration has survived and continues to thrive in various forms today. There is no corner of the world, including this country, where tribal communities do not engage in mural depiction and wall marking practices. These practices are aimed at representing religion, magic, social events, human aspirations, various festivals, daily life, flowers, and organisms.
• The tribes of Jharkhand have long been decorating the walls of their houses, often creating marks solely for decoration and aesthetic beauty. Despite being marginalized, these tribes have preserved their rich artistic heritage, showcasing their creativity and cultural expressions through these wall paintings.
• Stone paintings have been discovered in the caves located in Hazaribagh district. It is not a coincidence that within the entire Jharkhand region, the art of painting house walls in the Hazaribagh area is the most attractive and popular. With further research, it might be possible to trace the evolutionary order of Soharai art.
• Kohbar painting is a tradition carried out by women, primarily painted on the walls of houses during wedding festivals from January to June.
• In addition to these murals, another distinct style of painting known as Jadopatia exists in Jharkhand. Although found throughout the state, it is particularly prevalent in the Lathagraha area. Jadopatia features vertical figures (Scolle Patira) and is traditionally created by members of the Junkies family in the Santhal Pargana region.

Cast Shilp

• Wood is one of the oldest raw materials easily accessible to humans. Before the advent of civilized human society, our ancestors relied heavily on both stone and wood for their daily needs.
• The wooden toys of Ranchi and Hazaribagh districts are renowned throughout the country. In addition to toys, a wide variety of useful items are crafted from wood. This extensive list includes pyala (cups), various musical instruments, masks, artistic seating arrangements, vases, decorative animal idols, various types of kitchen equipment, and combs. These wooden crafts highlight the skill and creativity of the artisans in these regions.

Dhaatu Shilp

• The work of metal crafts has been practiced in various parts of the Jharkhand region since ancient times by tribal communities such as the Asur and Birhore. An example of this long-standing tradition is the Ashtavakra Muni of Jain Tirthankar, discovered during an archaeological excavation in Aluvara (Block Chandan Kariya, District Bokaro), which is now housed in the Patna Museum.
• Traditionally, the local tribes have produced barrage and household utensils from metal for a long time. However, a subject of special interest is the garlanded character, which was traditionally created as a tribal unit of measurement known as 'Paila.' Nowadays, the artisans have expanded their craft to create a variety of useful and decorative items, including lamps and bird-shaped figures, showcasing their evolving artistry and skill in metalwork.
• Historically, the Asur tribe is renowned for their iron smelting skills, producing domestic iron goods through traditional methods. Meanwhile, the Lohra community of the Birhore tribe has also become highly skilled in metal crafts. One of the significant contributions to metal crafts in Jharkhand is the creation of Dhokra characters, which have been crafted in this region since ancient times.
• Beyond Jharkhand, similar artworks are produced in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Odisha using the 'Lost-Wax' method, an evolved form of the 'Sire-Paiyu' method.
• One notable item is the 'Piela,' a popular character used historically for measuring rice and other grains. The 'Pahla' is widely appreciated both domestically and internationally as a souvenir. In addition to the Piela, other commonly made items include kitchen utensils, animal statues, and decorative candle stands. The production of these metal crafts is especially prominent in the Lohadoh area of Ranchi district and the Ichak area of Hazaribagh district.