Sugiya Devi is a renowned Khovar artist from Jharkhand with nearly five decades of dedication to preserving this traditional art form. Born in Hazaribagh, she began painting at ten under her mother’s guidance and later specialised in Khovar, even creating her own tools to refine its techniques. A respected mentor, she has participated in national programs and represented India internationally, helping bring Khovar art to a global... Sugiya Devi is a renowned Khovar artist from Jharkhand with nearly five decades of dedication to preserving this traditional art form. Born in Hazaribagh, she began painting at ten under her mother’s guidance and later specialised in Khovar, even creating her own tools to refine its techniques. A respected mentor, she has participated in national programs and represented India internationally, helping bring Khovar art to a global audience.

Khovar painting is a sacred mural tradition from Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh region, closely associated with tribal marriage rituals. The name combines kho (house/cave) and var (groom), referring to the decorated bridal chamber. Traditionally practiced by women, it uses a comb-cut (sgraffito) technique, where light earth is layered over dark clay and scraped to create patterns. Its motifs-bamboo, flowers, animals, and geometric forms-symbolise fertility, growth, and prosperity, making Khovar a celebration of union and the cycle of life.

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