Putli Ganju

Putli Ganju is an internationally acclaimed Sohrai artist from Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, India, who has played a vital role in carrying the indigenous Sohrai mural tradition from village mud walls to prestigious global art institutions. Deeply rooted in the cultural landscape of Jharkhand, her work reflects nature and animals — central themes of the Sohrai tradition practiced by tribal women for generations.

 

Working with natural earth pigments and traditional hand techniques, Putli Ganju preserves the authenticity of Sohrai while presenting it in contemporary formats such as canvas and large-scale installations. Her compositions are known for their animal motifs representing the life in hill villages of Hazaribag.

 

Her artworks have been exhibited and acquired by internationally renowned institutions, including:

 

• Art Gallery of New South Wales – where her large Sohrai mural Hunting Scene is part of the collection.

• Australian Museum – featuring works such as Animals, created using traditional earth pigments.

• National Gallery of Canada – where her work Jungle Scene has been acquired for the permanent collection.

Through international exhibitions, residencies, and museum acquisitions, Putli Ganju has brought global recognition to the Sohrai art form, representing the artistic heritage and resilience of Jharkhand’s indigenous communities on the world stage.