Khovar Art: The Bridal Chamber That Paints the Story of Life

What Does the Word “Khovar” Mean?

The name Khovar comes from two local words ‘Kho’ (cave) and ‘Var’ (groom). Together, they mean “bridal chamber.” Traditionally, Khovar murals were painted on the inner walls of the bride’s house, welcoming the groom into the home and blessing the couple’s union with fertility, prosperity, and love.

Where Did Khovar Art Originate?

The roots of Khovar go back to the caves of Hazaribagh, Jharkhand some dating to 10,000 BC. Archaeologists found prehistoric rock paintings there with similar patterns, leading locals to believe that the earliest humans used these caves as nuptial shelters, where marriage and fertility rituals took place. In that sense, every Khovar painting is an echo of humanity’s first celebration of union.

Who Paints Khovar and Why Is It a Matriarchal Art?

Khovar is painted exclusively by married women, often the bride’s mother and aunts. It’s a matriarchal tradition men never paint it, and the skills are passed from mother to daughter. These women paint during the wedding season (January to June), transforming mud walls into living blessings. The act is ritual, not commercial no money is exchanged. It’s a sacred gift of love and continuity. In Khovar, women don’t just paint walls they paint life itself.”

What Materials and Techniques Are Used in Khovar Art?

Every layer of Khovar carries deep meaning. First, a black base of manganese-rich earth is applied symbolizing the womb. Then a white layer of kaolin clay is added symbolizing sperm and creation.

While the surface is still damp, the women scratch designs into the white layer using broken combs, twigs, or their fingers a technique called ‘Sgraffito’ or “comb-cut” art. This reveals the black underneath, creating Khovar’s signature black-and-white patterns.

All colors come from natural soils black from manganese, white from lime, and occasionally red or yellow from local earths. Before painting, walls are cleaned and plastered with cow dung and clay, creating a sacred canvas for creation.

Why Did Khovar Start Disappearing?

As tribal families in Jharkhand began moving from mud houses to cement homes, the earthen walls that served as Khovar’s canvas vanished. Add to this the displacement caused by coal mining, and the art nearly disappeared by the late 20th century.

How Was Khovar Revived?

In the 1990s, Bulu Imam, an environmental activist and art researcher, led the INTACH Hazaribagh Chapter to revive the dying tradition. He helped women adapt Khovar onto paper and cloth, using paints and glue instead of wet earth. This shift gave Khovar mobility and permanence, allowing it to travel from village homes to global galleries and fashion textiles.

In 2020, Khovar (along with Sohrai) received a Geographical Indication (GI) Tag, officially recognizing it as a heritage art of Jharkhand.

How Did Khovar Move from Walls to Fabrics?

When translated onto textiles, Khovar’s bold geometric lines and black-white contrasts naturally suited weaving and block printing. Designers now use Khovar-inspired motifs for sarees, home décor, and contemporary art fabrics, retaining the raw, spiritual essence of the original while bringing it into modern life.

Where Can We See Khovar Art Today?

Today, Khovar murals are showcased in museums across Europe, including the National Museum of Italy (Pigorini, Rome).In Jharkhand, the government has initiated programs to paint train coaches and government buildings with Khovar and Sohrai murals bringing tribal art into public life.

Yet, within villages, the tradition continues quietly. Women still paint Khovar on the outer walls of homes during weddings, announcing joy to the world without ever commercializing it.

Why Are Hand Stencils Important in Khovar?

Hand stencils, often seen on the walls, are believed to be protective symbols guarding the house and couple from evil spirits. They also act as signatures of the women artists, marking their presence in a matriarchal lineage that has lasted millennia.

What Makes Khovar Unique Among Indian Folk Arts?

Khovar remains one of India’s few art forms untainted by courtly or urban influence. It’s tribal, instinctive, feminine born from caves, earth, and motherhood. Even its “groom” (Var) the word that inspired its name is mostly absent from the paintings, symbolizing that creation belongs to the feminine force. In Khovar, the man may be the guest but the woman is the world.

What Is Khovar’s Legacy Today?

From prehistoric caves to cotton fabrics, Khovar has traveled centuries yet its essence remains unchanged: It’s a song of fertility, creation, and womanhood, sung not in words but in patterns of black and white.

Khovar reminds us that art began as a prayer, not decoration. It is where the earth met woman’s hand, and creation took shape.

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