The Story of Jharkhand’s Khovar Paintings

Khovar painting, one of Jharkhand’s most powerful tribal art traditions, is far more than decoration - it is a language of love, fertility, nature, and womanhood. Originating from the Kurmi, Oraon, and Munda communities of Hazaribagh, this mud-and-comb mural style is traditionally made during weddings inside the “Kohbar Ghar” (bridal chamber). Every motif reflects blessings for the newly married couple and represents deep cultural wisdom.

What's The Purpose of Khovar Painting?

The primary purpose of Khovar painting is to express blessings, fertility, and good fortune during the marriage season. Traditionally created on the walls of bridal chambers (known as “Koh” for cave and “Var” for marriage), these paintings serve as a sacred and symbolic decoration to invoke prosperity in the newly married couple’s life.

Khovar is also a medium through which tribal women communicate their creativity, identity, and cultural wisdom. It strengthens community bonds and preserves ancient traditions passed down through generations.

Today, Khovar has evolved from wall murals to canvas, paper, bamboo, tiles, and home décor products, attracting tourists, collectors, designers, and art lovers worldwide.

A woman painting Khovar on a mud wall (AI Image)

The Origins & History of Khovar Painting

Historically, Khovar murals were created on the walls of marriage homes using black manganese clay as the base and white kaolin clay for designs. Women artists used finger strokes, broken combs, bamboo strips, and natural colors to carve out symbolic patterns.

Hidden Messages in Khovar Art: You Never Knew

Khovar paintings are admired for their powerful and symbolic imagery. Each design carries a deeper cultural meaning and reflects the hopes and blessings bestowed upon a newly married couple.

● Pregnant Peacock – Fertility & Love
One of the most recognizable motifs in Khovar art, the pregnant peacock symbolizes fertility, growth, and marital harmony. It represents the wish for a prosperous family life filled with emotional bonding and blessings.

● Fish – Good Fortune & Abundance
The fish motif stands for prosperity and good luck. It is commonly seen in bridal chambers as a symbol of abundance and the promise of a happy, fulfilling life.

● Elephant – Strength & Protection
Elephants in Khovar art signify power, stability, and protection. They are believed to act as guardians for the newly married couple, ensuring safety and emotional strength.

● Vines, Flowers & Leaves – Renewal & Harmony
Nature-inspired motifs reflect the cycle of life, renewal, and balance. They symbolize the couple’s growth together and their harmonious connection with nature and community.

● Tiger Stripes & Curved Lines – Courage & Stability
These bold patterns represent courage, resilience, and mental strength. They serve as visual blessings, wishing the couple steadiness and determination in their journey ahead.

Khovar painting of a pregnant peacock

Khovar wall mural in a bridal chamber

Khovar: The Living Cultural Language of Jharkhand’s Tribal Heritage

Khovar serves as a living cultural language of Jharkhand’s tribal communities. Rooted deeply in matrimonial traditions, these paintings reflect complete life philosophies through simple yet powerful symbols.

Created on mud walls using natural pigments, it reflects the philosophy of life and the connection between people, nature, and community.

• Reflects Matrimonial Traditions:
  Created during marriage rituals, symbolizing blessings, prosperity, and new beginnings.

• Showcases Women’s Creative Leadership:
  Tribal women act as painters, storytellers, and cultural preservers.

• Demonstrates Harmony with Nature:
  Designs inspired by forests and wildlife express ecological balance and respect.

• Strengthens Community Identity:
  Helps maintain cultural unity and shared traditions across generations.

• Carries Indigenous Wisdom:
  Encodes ancestral knowledge, beliefs, and life philosophies through symbols.

• Offers Protection and Blessings:
  Signifies emotional security, spiritual guidance, and happiness for the newlyweds.

• Acts as Jharkhand’s Cultural Ambassador:
  Represents the beauty, strength, and cultural richness of tribal life to the wider world.

How to Authenticate Genuine Khovar Paintings?

Authentic Khovar art is traditionally painted on mud-plastered walls or clay-coated surfaces or handmade papers using natural pigments. The classic black-and-white look comes from charcoal or manganese for black and kaolin clay for white. If you see glossy paper, neon shades, or acrylic paints, the piece is likely not original.

Authentic works typically come from tribal women artists belonging to traditional families. Their technique is noticeable through the scratching style on clay that creates stunning patterns and textures—unlike synthetic prints or tourist souvenirs.

To authenticate a Khovar piece, consider the medium, colours, motifs, artist lineage, and regional origin. Genuine paintings celebrate culture and craftsmanship, making them valuable not just as art but as living heritage.

Khovar painting on a modern home wall

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Khovar Painting?
Khovar is a traditional tribal wall painting practiced mainly in the Hazaribagh region of Jharkhand. It is created using natural colors and symbolic motifs, especially during marriage season.

2. Who creates Khovar paintings?
Khovar art is traditionally made by tribal women. The skill is passed down through generations from mothers to daughters.

3. What materials are used in Khovar painting?
Khovar uses mud walls or clay-coated surfaces and natural pigments - black from manganese or charcoal and white from kaolin clay.

4. What do the motifs in Khovar represent?
Each motif has meaning:

• Pregnant peacock symbolizes fertility

• Fish indicates prosperity

• Elephant signifies strength and protection

• Vines and leaves represent renewal and harmony

5. How is Khovar different from Sohrai painting?
Khovar is mainly associated with marriage rituals and uses black-and-white colors, whereas Sohrai is related to harvest celebrations and uses multiple earthy colors.

6. Where is Khovar painting practiced?
It is primarily found in villages of Hazaribagh district in Jharkhand, including Rampur, Barkagaon, and Charhi.

7. Are Khovar paintings available for purchase?
Yes. Many artists create portable versions on paper, cloth, and panels while preserving traditional designs.

8. How to authenticate a Khovar painting?
Check for natural pigments, clay-based background, scratching technique, traditional motifs, and the artist’s community origin.

9. What is the cultural importance of Khovar?
Khovar reflects marriage customs, ecological harmony, and tribal identity. It serves as a living cultural language of the community.

10. Can Khovar be used in modern decor?
Absolutely! Its minimalistic black-and-white patterns make it suitable for walls, frames, decor panels, and even fashion motifs - while still carrying cultural depth.

11. How is Khovar painting made?

Artists apply black clay, cover it with white clay, and use a comb to scratch designs, creating strong high-contrast motifs.