Gulachin's Latest Collection Pays Tribute To Jharkand's Indigenous Tribal Art Forms

Based in Ranchi, Jharkhand, Gulachin is a regional brand that best reflects the idiosyncrasies of the local culture and represents the artistry from the state that often goes unnoticed. They utilise the heritage textiles through a contemporary lens and craft conscious clothing that is both experimental and utilitarian. Inspired by local traditions, their recent SS23 Collection is reviving wall murals in textiles and drawing inspiration from ancient indigenous art of ‘Sohrai’.  

Sohrai is originally a harvest festival from Jharkhand, also known as cattle festival. It is celebrated after harvest and coincides with the festival of Diwali. The time of reverence culminates in the local tribal communities coming together to honour and express gratitude to nature for its blessings. During this festival the women of the tribal communities paint their mud houses with natural earth colours available in the region of Jharkhand. 

The colours are ochres known as Gerua mitti (red mud), Kali mitti (black mud), Duddhi mitti/Charkha mitti (white mud). The forms in paintings differ from region to region as it showcases surroundings unique to each setting. One can notice embellishments of flowers and birds motifs as well as wild creatures motifs and geometrical patterns. These painting techniques are a form of generational wealth that are passed down from mothers to daughters in each family.

Gulachin’s garments merge art and fashion, celebrating the cultural heritage and ancestral stories of Jharkhand. Employing tribal women artisans who transform intricate wall paintings into meaningful embroidered patterns on fabrics which present vegetation, nature, birds, animals, and decorative geometrical patterns. Sohrai art from the state got a Geograpahical indication I tag only a few years back, hence the revival poses an opportunity for the popularisation of the long lost tribal art form.

The brand seeks to narrate the local tales of Sohrai and continue to inspire and remind us of the deep connection between humans and the natural world. In the process, they hope to help the art form live on by weaving its magic into garments worn across generations.

Explore the collection here.

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