Kunal Sarangi Advocates for Sohrai Paintings’ GI Recognition
Efforts intensify to secure GI tag for Jharkhand’s ancient Sohrai art, boosting local women entrepreneurs.
JAMSHEDPUR – On the auspicious occasion of Saraswati Puja, BJP state spokesperson and founder of Namya Smile Foundation, Kunal Sarangi, visited the villages of Kinudih and Jondragoda under Jamshedpur block to keep the globally renowned Sohrai painting alive.
He interacted with rural women entrepreneurs, acknowledging their challenges in promoting their art.
Sohrai, a significant and ancient art form from Jharkhand, struggles to reach national and international markets due to the absence of a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
Currently, only one product from Jharkhand has received a GI tag, which is also a Sohrai painting but specifically from Hazaribagh district.
Despite their expertise, the lack of a GI tag has hindered income growth for these women artists.
Sarangi pledged to expedite the process of obtaining a GI tag for Sohrai paintings made by women in the East Singhbhum district.
He also made a personal purchase of a shawl crafted from Sohrai paintings, paying via UPI, emphasizing the need to develop a ‘vocal for local’ mindset.
The event saw significant participation from Namya Smile Foundation’s Nikita Mehta, Nidhi Kedia, Abhira Institution’s Swati Singh, and former district council member Sudeepto De Rana.
It concluded with the distribution of certificates and awards to the women entrepreneurs.
