Four-day workshop attempts to revive state’s folk art forms

Ranchi: Kalakriti School of Arts, Doranda, organised a four-day training workshop, ‘Sona Jharkhand’, from May 27 in a bid to restore and rejuvenate dying folk art forms of the state.
The workshop by Kalakriti Art Foundation imparted training to 30 participants from Ranchi and nearby places in the age group of 10-20 years, educating them about the intricacies and techniques of traditional art forms like Sohrai, Jadupatia, Payatkar, Baidnath, Santhal and Kohbar.The workshop received over a hundred submissions, of which around 80 will be put up for exhibition by the end of June and for sale to encourage the painters and the art forms.
Art teacher and Artifact School of Arts director, Dhananjay Kumar, taught the nuances of folk painting. Kumar said, “In the backdrop of the diminishing culture of traditional folk art in the state, it is crucial to impart knowledge and training to the upcoming generations.”
Kumar further said that while Sohrai has still got public attention due to promotion by the state government, people are still oblivious about other art forms.
The motive behind the workshop was also to train marginalised and poor students and hone their skills for better employment opportunities.